[Diagnosis, classification and indications for surgical treatment of pelvic ring fractures]

In cases of high-energy trauma, it is well known that there is a high incidence of pelvic fractures. The mechanism of injury, inspection and physical examination of the victim at the accident site direct attention to a pelvic fracture. In most cases, the first radiological examination (A.P. X-ray of the pelvis, oblique view of the obturator and oblique view of the ilium) shows the extent of the bony lesion. The diagnosis and therapy of lesions of the urinary tract, of intra-abdominal organs and blood vessels are vitally important. For the definitive operation of unstable pelvic ring fractures, additional diagnostic means, i.e., CT scans to distinguish posterior instability, can be necessary. Osteosynthesis can only be successful in the pelvis if one has a biochmechanical understanding of the physiological flux of force from the neck of the femur via the acetabular fossa to the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac ligaments have a particularly important support function. For assessing stability and classifying the traumatic patterns, it is helpful to use Pennal's classification, which takes the direction of the action of force into account. Three basic forms can be distinguished: anteroposterior compression, lateral compression and vertical avulsion. Depending on the extent of the traumatic pattern, one can distinguish three subtypes: type 1 is treated conservatively while types 2 and 3 require surgical treatment. The biochmechanics, traumatic patterns, diagnostics and treatment techniques applied are described clearly and with good illustrations.