Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Surgical treatment for pelvic ring fractures in pediatric and adolescence age
R Pascarella1, C Bettuzzi, V Digennaro
1Orthopaedic and Trauma Unit, Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli 2, 40133, Bologna, Italy, raffaele.pascarella@libero.it.
Insights
Pediatric pelvic fractures are rare, often from vehicle accidents. Surgical management, guided by careful assessment, can improve outcomes and limit long-term complications in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Trauma Surgery
- Pediatric Trauma
Background:
- Pelvic fractures are rare in children, with motor vehicle accidents being a common cause.
- Unlike adults, head injuries are the primary cause of mortality in pediatric pelvic fractures.
- Non-operative treatment of complex pediatric pelvic fractures can lead to significant long-term morbidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze surgical cases of pediatric pelvic fractures.
- To evaluate the final functional outcomes of surgically treated patients.
- To establish surgical indications for managing complex pediatric pelvic fractures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of eight pediatric patients surgically treated for pelvic ring fractures between 2000 and 2011.
- Functional outcomes assessed using the functional independence measure (FIM) at follow-up.
Main Results:
- Most patients achieved good clinical outcomes with functional hip recovery and full return to physical activity.
- The mean functional independence measure (FIM) score was 125.3.
- Complications included one permanent colostomy, one case of mild scoliosis, one instance of triradiate cartilage fusion, and one deep vein thrombosis.
Conclusions:
- Careful radiographic and CT scan assessment is crucial for pediatric pelvic ring fractures.
- Centralizing pediatric trauma care enhances experience and ensures appropriate treatment.
- Appropriate surgical indications can prevent or mitigate the consequences of complex pediatric pelvic fractures.
Background:
Fractures of the pelvis in pediatric population are extremely rare. Children with complex pelvic fractures are most often pedestrians who have been struck by a motor vehicle. Head injuries are the main cause of death, unlike the adult, where severe hemorrhages are common and contribute to mortality. Long-term follow-up studies have reported significant residual morbidity in children's pelvic fractures treated non-operatively. The aim of this study is to analyze our cases in order to evaluate the final outcome and to suggest the surgical indications for the management of this kind of injuries.
Materials And Methods:
From January 2000 to July 2011, eight pediatric patients were surgically treated for pelvic ring fractures in our department. The functional result at follow-up was evaluated using the functional independence measure (FIM).
Results:
In most cases the clinical outcome was good with functional recovery of the hip and complete resumption of physical activity. The mean FIM score was 125.3. One patient underwent permanent colostomy for perineal lacerations, one case showed a slight scoliosis at follow-up, and one patient showed the early fusion of the triradiate cartilage. One patient presented a deep thrombosis of the common femoral vein.
Conclusions:
Fractures of the pelvic ring should be carefully assessed by radiographs and CT scan. The centralization of these young patients is important to get the experience and ensure the proper treatment. A correct indication for surgery may prevent or limit the consequences of these complex fractures.
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