Abstract

Soft tissue injuries associated with pelvic fractures are often responsible for compromised haemodynamics. The objective of this study was to clarify what parameters determine patient outcome. In a cohort study, all patients with a pelvic fracture treated between 1991 and 2001 at a Level I trauma center were analysed for associated intrapelvic injuries, classification, severity of trauma, type of intervention and outcome. Of 552 patients with a pelvic fracture who entered the study, 15.5% presented with associated intrapelvic injuries secondary to the fracture (group I). A subgroup of patients with lacerations of branches of the iliac artery was identified as being at high risk for lethal outcome; they represented 4.3% of all patients with pelvic fracture (group II). The overall mortality reached 4.4%; it increased in group I to 15.5%, and in group II to 33.3%. In the subgroup with pelvic arterial haemorrhage (group II), the severity of injury, the proportion of multiple injured patients, the prevalence of unstable fractures and the incidence of sepsis were significantly increased. The only predictive factor for outcome was the amount of blood transfused, suggesting that fast elimination of the bleeding source decides about patient survival.