Uncontrolled haemorrhage in pelvic fractures—Can the inevitable be avoided?

Pelvic fractures carry a considerable risk for morbidity and mortality. Half or more of the early deaths in these patients have been attributed directly to haemorrhage. The transfusional requirements are four times higher for open pelvic fractures compared with a similar group of closed pelvic fractures. The loss of the tamponade effect by disruption of the pelvic soft tissues and the energy imparted play a central role in this potentially life threatening situation. We reported a case of open pelvic fracture in which persistent haemorrhage was stopped by giving recombinant activated coagulation factor VIIa as our last resort.