Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2025
04:19
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
644
Does Time to Pelvic Fixation Influence Outcomes in Trauma Patients?
Nicholas A Taylor1, Alison A Smith1, Alan Marr1
1Department of Surgery, 12258Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
The American Surgeon
|November 19, 2021
Summary
Fixing pelvic fractures within 3 days significantly reduces hospital length of stay (LOS). This study highlights the importance of timely surgical intervention for pelvic fractures to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Patient Outcomes Research
Background:
- Pelvic fractures are a significant cause of morbidity in trauma patients.
- Numerous factors impact the timing of pelvic fracture fixation.
- Optimal time windows for pelvic fracture fixation remain undetermined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal time window for pelvic fracture fixation.
- To evaluate the impact of fixation timing on patient outcomes, specifically length of stay.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 287 trauma patients with pelvic fractures (2016-2020).
- Patients stratified into EARLY (<3 days) and LATE (>3 days) fixation groups.
- Statistical analysis included t-tests, Fisher's exact test, and multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- Early fixation (within 3 days) significantly reduced hospital length of stay (11.9 vs. 18.0 days, P < .001).
- No significant differences in demographics, pre-fixation procedures, or major complications (VAP, DVT, PE, AKI, ARDS) between groups.
- Surgical site infections (SSIs) were significantly higher in the LATE fixation group.
Conclusions:
- Fixation of traumatic pelvic fractures within 3 days is associated with a reduced length of hospital stay.
- Further multi-center prospective studies are needed to identify factors for decreasing surgical time and improving outcomes.
