Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2026
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Pelvic fractures in a pediatric level I trauma center
Nicolas Grisoni1, Susan Connor, Eric Marsh
1Northwestern University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Insights
Pediatric pelvic fractures rarely cause hemorrhage. Associated injuries, not the pelvic fracture itself, are the main cause of complications and death in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma Surgery
- Orthopedic Traumatology
- Pediatric Critical Care
Background:
- Pelvic fractures in children are uncommon injuries.
- Understanding associated risks is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristics linked to complications and mortality in pediatric pelvic fractures.
- To evaluate the role of pelvic fractures as a direct cause of hemorrhage and death.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 57 children with 66 pelvic fractures.
- Data collected included fracture type, cause, management, associated injuries, transfusion needs, and mortality.
- Comparison of operative versus nonoperative management.
Main Results:
- Hemorrhage directly from pelvic fractures was rare (2%).
- Most transfusions (11 patients) were for injuries in other body areas.
- All three deaths (5%) were attributed to injuries outside the pelvis.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric pelvic fractures necessitate thorough assessment for concurrent injuries.
- Associated injuries are the primary drivers of hemorrhage and mortality in these patients.
Objectives:
Assess the characteristics associated with the risk of complications and mortality in children sustaining pelvic fractures.
Setting:
Urban university pediatric Level I trauma center in a large metropolitan community.
Patients/Participants:
Retrospective analysis of 57 consecutive children with 66 pelvic fractures seen between 1993 and 1999.
Intervention:
Fifty-two patients were treated nonoperatively, and five patients required operative stabilization (four acetabular fractures and one partial sacroiliac joint disruption).
Main Outcome Measure:
Type and cause of pelvic fracture, type of management used, incidence of associated injuries, hemorrhage requiring transfusion, and mortality.
Results:
Hemorrhage directly related to the pelvic fracture occurred in only one patient (2%), whereas 11 other patients required transfusions associated with other body-area injuries. Three patients with pelvic fractures died (5%), but deaths were due to other body-area injuries.
Conclusions:
Children with pediatric pelvic fractures require careful evaluation for other body-area injuries, as these are most likely to be related to hemorrhage or mortality.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
01:26Flail Chest-II
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
01:24Flail Chest-I
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...