The rate of arterial injury in trauma patients with pelvic ring fractures has been cited as high as 15%. Addressing this source of hemorrhage is essential in the management of these patients as mortality rates are reported as 50%. Percutaneous techniques to control arterial bleeding, such as embolization and REBOA, are being employed with increasing frequency due to their assumed lower morbidity and invasiveness than open exploration or cross clamping of the aorta. There are promising results with regards to the mortality benefits of angioembolization. However, there are concerns with regards to morbidity associated with embolization of the internal iliac vessels and its branches including surgical wound infection, gluteal muscle necrosis, nerve injury, bowel infarction, and thigh / buttock claudication. The primary aim of this study is to determine whether pelvic arterial embolization is associated with surgical site infection (SSI) in trauma patients undergoing pelvic ring fixation. This observational cohort study was conducted using US trauma registry data from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Trauma Database for the year of 2018. Patients over the age of 18 who were transported through emergency health services to an ACS Level 1 or 2 trauma hospital and sustained a pelvic ring fracture treated with surgical fixation were included. Patients who were transferred between facilities, presented to the emergency department with no signs of life, presented with isolated penetrating trauma, and pregnant patients were excluded from the study. The primary study outcome was surgical site infection. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to estimate treatment effects of angioembolization of pelvic vessels on surgical site infection, adjusting for known risk factors for infection. Study analysis included 6562 trauma patients, of which 508 (7.7%) of patients underwent pelvic angioembolization. Overall, 148 (2.2%) of patients had a surgical site infection, with a higher risk (7.1%) in patients undergoing angioembolization (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 4.0; 95% CI 2.7, 6.0; p < 0 .0001). Controlling for potential confounding, including patient demographics, vitals on hospital arrival, open fracture, ISS, and select patient comorbidities, pelvic angioembolization was still significantly associated with increased odds for surgical site infection (adjusted OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.3, 3.2; p=0.003). This study demonstrates that trauma patients who undergo pelvic angioembolization and operative fixation of pelvic ring injuries have a higher surgical site infection risk. As the use of percutaneous hemorrhage control techniques increase, it is important to remain judicious in patient selection

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication of pelvic and acetabular fracture fixation. There is, however, currently limited data to guide clinical decisions on thromboprophylaxis choice in these patients.

There has been a trend towards operative management of pelvic injuries. Posterior pelvic integrity is more important for functional recovery. Percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation is being increasingly preferred for posterior pelvic stabilisation. Outcome reporting for this procedure remains inconsistent and un-standardised. Retrospectively, all percutaneous iliosacral screw fixations done at this institute during a 5-year period (2008–2012) were reviewed. 28 patients, who had had at least 12 months follow-up, were contacted and clinical scoring was done by postal correspondence. Radiographs were measured for displacements and leg-length discrepancy. Possible factorial associations and correlations were investigated. Mean Majeed score was 83 (median 87), mean EQ-Visual Analog Score (EQ-VAS) was 75.5 (median 80) and the two scores were correlated with statistical significance. Tile AO type C injuries produced worse outcomes and patients who'd anterior pelvic fixation did better. Our results show high patient-reported outcomes, excellent radiologically measured reductions and unions. The incidence of complications is very low. There is a significant correlation between the EQ-VAS arm of the EQ5D instrument and the Majeed score in this patient population. Incidence of non-pelvic surgical procedures in these patients was significantly associated with worse outcomes. Leg length discrepancies appeared to increase after patients were fully weight bearing

There is controversy regarding the optimum method of stabilising traumatic anterior pelvic ring injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the role of pubic symphysis plating. Methods. All patients who underwent pubic symphysis plating in a regional pelvic and acetabular unit were studied. Fracture classification, type of fixation, complications, and incidence of metalwork failure were recorded. Results. Out of 178 consecutive patients, 159 (89%) were studied for a mean of 37.6 months. There were 121 males and 38 females (mean age 43 years). Symphysis pubic fixation was performed in 100 AO-OTA type B and 59 type C injuries using a Matta symphyseal plate (n=92), reconstruction plate (n=65), or DCP (n=2). Supplementary posterior pelvic fixation was performed in 102 patients. 5 patients required revision for failure of fixation or symptomatic instability of the pubic symphysis. A further 7 patients had metalwork removed for other reasons. Metalwork breakage occurred in 63 patients (40%). 62 of these 63 patients were asymptomatic and metalwork was left in situ. Conclusions. Plate fixation of the symphysis pubis is an effective method of stabilising anterior pelvic ring injuries with a low complication rate. There is a high rate of late metalwork breakage, but this is not clinically significant

Aim. To evaluate the outcome and complications of pubic symphysis plating in the stabilisation of traumatic anterior pelvic ring injuries. Methods. All patients who underwent anterior pelvic ring stabilisation with a pubic symphysis plate in a tertiary referral pelvic and acetabular reconstruction unit were studied. Patients were followed up annually for five years with AP, inlet and outlet radiographs at each visit. The fracture classification, type of fixation (including additional posterior fixation), and incidence of metalwork failure were recorded. Results. In a series of 178 consecutive patients, 159 (89%) were studied for a mean of 41 months (range 3 months to 13 years). There were 121 males and 38 females, with a mean age of 38 years (9-80yrs). Symphysis pubic fixation was performed in 105 AO-OTA type B and 54 AO-OTA type C injuries using a Matta symphyseal plate in 92, a reconstruction plate in 65, or a DCP in two patients. Supplementary posterior pelvic fixation was performed in 103 patients. Six patients (3.8%) required revision for failure of fixation or symptomatic instability of the pubic symphysis. A further seven patients (4%) had metalwork removed for other reasons. Metalwork breakage occurred in 66 patients (42%). 64 of these 66 patients were asymptomatic and metalwork was left in situ. Conclusion. Plate fixation of the symphysis pubis is an effective method of stabilising anterior pelvic ring injuries with a low rate of complications. There is a high rate of late metalwork breakage, but this is often not clinically significant