Traumatic hemipelvectomy

Traumatic hemipelvectomy is rare, and is usually accompanied by injury to the genito-urinary tract and bowel. Recently, there have been an increasing number of reports of patients who have survived this injury, probably as a result of improved early care. We report three such cases and review the literature. The amputation wound should not be closed initially; early re-exploration to remove any dead tissue is indicated, and this should be repeated as necessary.