title: Fractures of the pelvic ring.
abstract: Traumatic disruptions of the pelvic ring are high energy life threatening injuries. Management represents a significant challenge, particularly in the acute setting in the presence of severe haemorrhage. Initial management is focused on preserving life by controlling haemorrhage and associated injuries. Advances in prehospital care, surgery, interventional radiology and the introduction of treatment algorithms to streamline decision making have improved patient survival. As more patients with unstable pelvic injuries survive, the poor results associated with nonoperative management and increasing patient expectations of outcome are making surgical management of these fractures increasingly common. The aim of operative fracture fixation is to correct deformity and restore function. The advent of percutaneous fixation techniques has reduced the morbidity previously associated with large operative exposures and internal fixation.
authors.affiliation: The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia. Electronic address: minleong@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: James Min-Leong
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bucknill
mesh_terms: D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D057772:Vascular System Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Haemorrhage; Pelvic fracture