[Unstable fractures of the pelvis treated by Ilizarov external fixation device]

We reviewed seven patients with an unstable fracture of the pelvic ring who had been treated with a Ilizarov external fixation device after a mean follow-up of 5.5 years. There were four "open-book" injuries (type B according to Tile) and three rotationally and vertically unstable injuries (type C according to Tile). In all patients union of fracture site had been achieved after a mean period of 65 days in patients with type B injuries and 98 days in patients with type C injuries. In the four patients with an "open-book" injury the symphyseal diastasis was partially reduced from 46 mm to 13 24mm to 13mm. The radiological result was excellent in one patient, good in one and poor in two patients. The functional outcome was rated as excellent in three patients and good in one patient. In patients with type C injury vertical displacement was partially reduced from 21mm to 12mm. The patients in this group had excellent, good and poor radiological result, respectively. The functional outcome was excellent in two cases and good in one case. General surgical complications were not seen. Infection at the pin sites was seen in six patients. In our study unsatisfactory or poor functional result was not registrated due to construction characteristics of Ilizarov device. Because of this characteristics there were no residual vertical displacement more then 8 mm.