Traumatic hemipelvectomy

Traumatic hemipelvectomy is an uncommon and devastating injury with few patients alive when they reach the hospital. There are only 19 reported survivors of this injury. This group includes 17 males and 2 females. All had severe, associated injuries. The mechanism of injury involved motorcycle, automobile, pedestrian/motor vehicle, or heavy machinery accidents. All surviving patients are young (10-34 years of age). Most suffered from a variety of postoperative complications. Two interesting patients with traumatic hemipelvectomy are reported. One involves a new mechanism of injury, the propellor of a motorboat. The management of these 2 patients is explained, the experience of others with similar injuries is reviewed, and the benefit of reconstruction with the gluteus myocutaneous flap is discussed.