SURGICAL STABILIZATION OF PELVIC RING DISRUPTIONS

Abstract

Between March 1993 and April 1995 15 patients with unstable pelvic ring disruptions were treated operatively by different approaches, according to the finidings in every case, at the department of orthopedical surgery and traumatoJogy of Assiut University hospital. There were 9 males and 6 females. There were 8 patients with unilateral vertically unstable pelvic ring disruption (Tile's type C,) and 7 patients with open book pelvic ring disruption (Tile's type B,). These patients were followed up until clinical or radiological union was evident. The average follow up period was 15.2 months with a range from 4 to 24 months. The overall results were: Excellent in 60.00% Good in 26.66% Fair in 6.66% Poor in 6.66% From the present study we can sum up the following conclusions. 1- Careful pre-operative assessment and study of the personality of the fracture and the patient's risk benefit ratio must be made before any surgical procedure for stabilization of pelvic ring disruption is perfomed. 2- Prompt, efficient, and effective resuscitation and stabilization are mandatory to save the patient's life. Immediate external fixation of the disrupted pelvic.ring provides an effective way to control bleeding into the retroperitoneal space, relieves the fracture pain and provides adequate immobilization for the fractured pelvis especially due to A-P compression