RESEARCH ARTICLE
Pelvic Fractures in Paediatric Polytrauma Patients: Classification, Concomitant Injuries and Early Mortality
Theodoros H Tosounidis, Hassaan Sheikh , Peter V Giannoudis*
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2015Volume: 9
Issue: Suppl 1: M5
First Page: 303
Last Page: 312
Publisher ID: TOORTHJ-9-303
DOI: 10.2174/1874325001509010303
Article History:
Received Date: 21/2/2015Revision Received Date: 26/4/2015
Acceptance Date: 18/5/2015
Electronic publication date: 31/7/2015
Collection year: 2015
open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Purpose of this Study :
To review the characteristics, concomitant injuries and mortality in children with polytrauma and associated pelvic fractures treated in a Level-I Trauma Centre.
Materials and Methods :
Between December 2003 and November 2013, 49 children with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 16 or greater and a pelvic fracture met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated. The mortality, transfusion requirements and length of intensive care unit stay were correlated with the ISS, Abbreviated Injury Scale, concomitant limb and spine fractures, and type of pelvic ring injury (AO/OTA classification).
Results :
The mean ISS at presentation was 31.4 (range 16 to 57). 19 (38.7%) patients sustained a Type A, 27 (55.1%) a Type B and 3 (6.2%) a Type C injury. Head and face trauma was present in 33 (67.3%) cases. Blood transfusion during the resuscitation process was necessitated in six (12.2%) patients. Thirty-eight (77.5%) patients were managed non-operatively for their pelvic injuries. The mean duration of hospital stay was 23.9 days (range 1 to 146 days). In this cohort of polytrauma paediatric patients there were five (10.2%) mortalities (all suffered an associated head trauma ) within 30 days from the initial injury.
Conclusion:
Severe head injury and a high ISS are significantly associated with mortality in children with pelvic fractures. These patients have a high incidence of concomitant spine and chest injuries Hemorrhage due to pelvic injuries is rare. Severe head injuries predict a longer ICU stay in this population.
