Utility of routine pelvic X-ray during blunt trauma resuscitation

To assess the utility of a routine pelvic X-ray in resuscitation of blunt trauma patients, 669 patients were studied prospectively over a 2-year period. One hundred twelve patients (16.7%) had positive pelvic X-rays (PPX). When compared with the negative pelvic X-ray group (NPX), the PPX group had a significantly higher mean Injury Severity Score, 24-hour mean requirement for blood and component therapy, and higher incidence of associated injury of chest and abdomen. Despite the higher injury parameters, the mortality between the groups was not significantly different. When compared with five standard resuscitative assessment variables, a pelvic X-ray performed as an additional predictor of injury severity and 24-hour blood requirement. A pelvic X-ray should be performed routinely in victims of blunt trauma as part of the early resuscitation X-ray protocol since a positive finding has immediate prognostic and therapeutic implications.