title: The Jones-Powell Classification of open pelvic fractures: a multicenter study evaluating mortality rates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Historically, open pelvic fractures have a high mortality rate. The Jones-Powell Classification system was developed to assist with morbidity and mortality prediction.The purposes of our study were twofold: 1. Apply the Jones-Powell Classification to mortality rates of open pelvic fractures; 2. Because the original article published on the Jones-Powell Classification was from 1997, there have been advances in the early treatment of pelvic fractures to include the use of the pelvic binder, early diverting colostomies, and emergent angiography. We wanted to examine if any of those acute interventions affected mortality rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of all patients presenting with open pelvic fractures at six Level I trauma centers between 2000 and 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 64 patients with an average age of 34 years (range, 17-57 years). Fourteen had stable pelvic fracture patterns, and 50 had unstable fracture patterns. The overall mortality rate in our study was 15 patients (23%). All patients who died had an unstable pelvic fracture and/or rectal laceration. Sixteen patients had diverting colostomies within 48 hours of injury. There were four patients with rectal lacerations and no patients with diverting colostomies who died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our population group, there was an overall mortality rate of 23%. A Jones-Powell Class 3 injury had a 38% mortality rate. The presence of a rectal laceration may serve as a marker for the severity of the patient's injuries and increased risk of mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Epidemiologic study, level IV.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. Lcannada@slu.edu
authors: Lisa K
authors: LK
authors: Cannada
authors: Ryan M
authors: RM
authors: Taylor
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Reddix
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Mullis
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Moghadamian
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Erickson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000145:classification* / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult