Use of the trauma pelvic orthotic device (T-POD) for provisional stabilisation of anterior-posterior compression type pelvic fractures: a cadaveric study.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that a commercially available pelvic binder the trauma pelvic orthotic device (T-POD) is an effective way to provisionally stabilise anterior-posterior compression type pelvic injuries.


METHODS
Rotationally unstable pelvic injuries were created in 12 non-embalmed human cadaveric specimens. Each pelvis was then stabilised first with a standard bed sheet wrapped circumferentially around the pelvis and held in place with a clamp. After recreating the symphyseal diastasis, the pelvis was stabilised with the T-POD. Reduction of the symphyseal diastasis was assessed by comparing measurements obtained via pre- and post-stabilisation AP radiographs.


RESULTS
The mean symphyseal diastasis was reduced from 39.3mm (95% CI 30.95-47.55) to 17.4mm (95% CI -0.14 to 34.98) with the bed sheet, and to 7.1mm (95% CI -2.19 to 16.35) with the T-POD.


CONCLUSIONS
Although both a circumferential sheet and the T-POD were able to decrease symphyseal diastasis consistently, only the T-POD showed a statistically significant improvement in diastasis when compared to injury measurements. In 75% of the cadaveric specimens (9 of 12), the T-POD was able to reduce the symphysis to normal (<10mm diastasis). Both a circumferential sheet and the T-POD are effective in provisionally stabilising Burgess and Young anterior-posterior compression II type pelvic injuries, but the T-POD is more effective in reducing symphyseal diastasis.
DeAngelis
Nicola A
NA
Orthopedic Surgery-Sports Medicine, UMass Memorial Medical Center, 281 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
Wixted
John J
JJ
Drew
Jacob
J
Eskander
Mark S
MS
Eskander
Jonathan P
JP
French
Bruce G
BG
D002102:Cadaver; D004867:Equipment Design; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000592:standards*; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed