Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Operative treatment of pediatric pelvic fractures--our experience
Ryszard Tomaszewski1, Artur Gap
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedic Ward, Upper Silesian Children's Health Centre, Katowice.
Insights
Surgical treatment of unstable pelvic fractures in children over 8 years old requires stable fixation and early rehabilitation. This approach, similar to adult management, yields good outcomes with proper expertise and a multidisciplinary team.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Pediatric trauma care
Background:
- Unstable pelvic fractures in children present significant surgical challenges.
- While sharing similarities with adult fractures, pediatric cases exhibit distinct management considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of surgical management for unstable pelvic fractures in children.
- To highlight age-specific differences in treating pediatric pelvic fractures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 46 children with pelvic fractures (2001-2009).
- 18 patients underwent surgical treatment, with fractures classified by Tile and Gordon's systems.
- Post-operative evaluation at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- All patients achieved radiological bone union within 3 months.
- No significant differences in lower limb length or pelvic obliquity were observed at 12 months.
- Minor complications included sacroiliac joint pain, hip rotation asymmetry, and inflammation, all managed conservatively or with antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- Operative treatment for pediatric pelvic fractures (>8 years) should mirror adult principles: stable fixation and early rehabilitation.
- Successful surgical osteosynthesis demands specialized expertise and a collaborative multi-specialty team.
Background:
Treatment of unstable pelvic fractures in children is a serious surgical problem. Despite similarities between the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of pelvic fractures in children and adults, this article attempts to demonstrate age-specific differences in patient management.
Material And Methods:
In a group of 46 children with pelvic fractures hospitalized in the years 2001-2009, 18 patients required surgical treatment. The fractures were classified according to Tile as type B1 fractures (11% of the patients operated on), type B2 (28%), B3 (22%), and C (39%). Surgical treatment was based on Gordon's classification.
Results:
Patients were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. All patients achieved radiological bone union by 3 months after surgery. The length of the lower limbs assessed at 12 months after surgery was the same in all patients. No patients demonstrated an oblique pelvic position. None of the patients had resting pain, but in one case there was slight pain in the sacro-iliac joint region due to incomplete reduction of sacro-iliac subluxation, but repeat surgery was not necessary. In one patient, there was a difference of approximately 15˚ in internal rotation of the hip joints caused by asymmetrical reduction of the pelvic fracture. One patient developed inflammation, which resolved after antibiotic therapy.
Conclusions:
Operative treatment of pelvic fractures in children over 8 years of age should be based on the principles of stable fixation and early rehabilitation, as it is in adults. Surgical treatment of unstable pelvic fractures with osteosynthesis in children is a challenge and needs expertise and a well-prepared multi-specialty team.
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:
01:25Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management