Causes and associations with mortality in patients with pelvic ring injuries with haemorrhagic shock

High energy pelvic ring injuries are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and can be accompanied by haemorrhagic shock following associated vascular injury. This study evaluated the causes and predictors of mortality in haemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures.

This retrospective observational study at a Major Trauma Centre reviewed 938 consecutive adult patients (≥ 18yrs) with pelvic ring injuries between December 2014 and November 2018. Patients with features of haemorrhagic shock were included, defined as: arrival Systolic BP < 90 mmHg, Base Deficit ≥ 6.0 mmol/l, or transfusion of ≥ 4 units of packed red blood cells within 24 h.

Of the 102 patients included, all sustained injuries from high energy trauma, and 47.1% underwent a haemorrhage control intervention (Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta-REBOA, Interventional Radiology-IR, or Laparotomy). These were more often required following vertical shear injuries (OR 10.7, p = 0.036). Overall, 33 patients (32.4%) died; 16 due to a head injury, and only 2 directly from acute pelvic exsanguination (6.1%). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that increasing age, Injury Severity Score, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) Head ≥ 3 and open pelvic fracture were all independent predictors of mortality, and IR was associated with reduced mortality. Lateral Compression III (LC3) injuries were associated with mortality due to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

Haemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic ring injuries have a high mortality rate, but death is usually attributed to other injuries or later complications, and not from acute exsanguination. This reflects improvements in resuscitative care, transfusion protocols, and haemorrhage control techniques.