Operative experience of pelvic fractures in the obese

Disruptions of the pelvic ring may be a significant short- or long-term source of morbidity and mortality. In the obese, temporary stabilization and definitive fixation of the injured pelvis is a much more difficult undertaking, requiring more surgeon expertise and larger surgical approaches. Complications that arise as a result of the operative fixation of pelvic ring injuries may significantly minimize any potential long-term benefits conferred by attempts at fixation.

During a continuous 46-month period, 288 patients with pelvic ring injuries were prospectively enrolled into a database. A cohort of 186 nonobese patients (group 1) was compared to the cohort of 102 obese patients (group 2). Injury patterns were classified and outcome variables were grouped into perioperative variables, perioperative complications, and late complications.

Injury patterns differed significantly between the two groups. There was an increase in the perioperative variables. Overall, there were complications in 19% of nonobese patients and 39% of obese patients (p < 0.001). Wound complications dominated in the obese group. There were 64 additional surgeries in 30 (16%) patients that were the direct result of complications in group 1 and 62 additional surgeries in 31 (31%) patients in group 2.

In the obese, the time commitment, postoperative complication rate, and subsequent surgery rate are significantly greater. In this patient population, special attention should be focused on operative and soft tissue techniques in an effort to lessen the infection risk, the most likely cause of morbidity.