Emergent management of pelvic ring injuries: an update

Fractures of the pelvic ring comprise about 2% of all fractures, but the incidence is increasing due to increasing numbers of high-speed vehicular crashes and suicide attempts.1 Mortality associated with isolated pelvic injury, independent of severity, has been reported to be low: 1%-2%.2 Among multiply injured victims of blunt trauma, however, almost 20% have injuries to the pelvic ring.3-5 In this group, when closed pelvic ring disruption is associated with multiple injuries, the mortality rate rises to 10%-15%.6-8 Pelvic fractures associated with intra-cranial mass lesions or notable abdominal injuries have mortality rates as high as 50%.3 The mortality associated with open pelvic …