Traumatic hip dislocations associated with acute aortic injuries: A relevant injury complex

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Traumatic posterior hip dislocations are serious injuries.
• Aortic injuries can be associated with blunt trauma.
• Early detection of aortic injuries is critical for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between traumatic posterior hip dislocations and aortic injuries.
• To determine the incidence of chest imaging in patients with hip dislocations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of a consecutive case series.
• Inclusion of 709 patients with posterior hip dislocations from a Level I trauma center.
• Analysis of the coincidence of blunt traumatic aortic injury and posterior hip dislocation.

Main Results:

• Patients with posterior hip dislocations had a 5.1% incidence of aortic injury, compared to 1.6% in those without (OR = 3.3).
• 93% of patients with posterior hip dislocations received chest imaging during their initial workup.
• 4.8% of patients with posterior hip dislocations did not receive chest imaging during hospitalization.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between traumatic posterior hip dislocations and aortic injuries.
• Routine chest imaging is recommended for all patients presenting with a posterior hip dislocation.
• This diagnostic approach can aid in the early identification and management of potentially life-threatening aortic injuries.