title: The posterior approach to pelvic ring injuries: A technique for minimizing soft tissue complications.
abstract: Surgical techniques and fixation strategies for the treatment of unstable posterior pelvic ring injuries continue to evolve. The safety of the posterior surgical approach in particular has been questioned due to historically high rates of wound related complications. More contemporary studies have shown lower infection rates, however concern still persists. These concerns for infection and wound necrosis have led, in part, to increased interest in closed reduction and percutaneous fixation for treatment of these injuries but an open posterior approach remains the optimal strategy in some injury patterns. We describe herein a modified posterior approach to the pelvis designed to minimize wound related complications and present our clinical results demonstrating wound complication rates consistent with contemporary publications.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Trauma Service, Mount Carmel Medical Center, The Cardinal Orthopaedic Institute, Columbus, OH, United States. Electronic address: ty.fowler@me.com.
authors.forename: T Ty
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Julius A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bellino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Open approach; Pelvic fracture; Pelvic ring injuries; Posterior approach; Posterior ring; Surgical technique