title: Surgical treatment for pelvic ring fractures in pediatric and adolescence age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fractures of the pelvis in pediatric population are extremely rare. Children with complex pelvic fractures are most often pedestrians who have been struck by a motor vehicle. Head injuries are the main cause of death, unlike the adult, where severe hemorrhages are common and contribute to mortality. Long-term follow-up studies have reported significant residual morbidity in children's pelvic fractures treated non-operatively. The aim of this study is to analyze our cases in order to evaluate the final outcome and to suggest the surgical indications for the management of this kind of injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2000 to July 2011, eight pediatric patients were surgically treated for pelvic ring fractures in our department. The functional result at follow-up was evaluated using the functional independence measure (FIM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In most cases the clinical outcome was good with functional recovery of the hip and complete resumption of physical activity. The mean FIM score was 125.3. One patient underwent permanent colostomy for perineal lacerations, one case showed a slight scoliosis at follow-up, and one patient showed the early fusion of the triradiate cartilage. One patient presented a deep thrombosis of the common femoral vein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fractures of the pelvic ring should be carefully assessed by radiographs and CT scan. The centralization of these young patients is important to get the experience and ensure the proper treatment. A correct indication for surgery may prevent or limit the consequences of these complex fractures.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic and Trauma Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 2, 40133, Bologna, Italy, raffaele.pascarella@libero.it.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pascarella
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bettuzzi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Digennaro
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000601:surgery; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012007:Rectum / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome