The diagnostic and therapeutic modalities utilized in the management of pelvic ring fractures depend on patient characteristics, mechanism of injury, and hemodynamic status at the time of presentation. Knowledge of the complex anatomy and biomechanics of pelvic stability may guide appropriate initial management strategies. Even with the development of specific treatment algorithms and advances ...

prise about 2% of all fractures, but the incidence is increasing due to increasing numbers of high-speed vehicular crashes and suicide attempts. Mortality associated with isolated pelvic injury, independent of severity, has been reported to be low: 1%–2%. Among multiply injured victims of blunt trauma, however, almost 20% have injuries to the pelvic ring. In this group, when closed pelvic ring ...

U-shaped sacral fracture is a very rare injury. This injury is easily missed and the diagnosis is often delayed as it is difficult to detect on the anteroposterior view of the pelvic radiograph. It is highly unstable and neurological injury is common. Two cases of U-shaped sacral fractures are reported here in which the diagnosis was delayed resulting in the late development of cauda equina syn...

Tracy Evans is the trauma program manager and director of emergency medical services at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Conn. The spectrum of patients with pelvic fractures ranges from patients with isolated, simple fractures to critically injured patients with multiple other life-threatening injuries. Critical care nurses care for patients with major pelvic fractures in many settings, including t...

Open fractures of the pelvis are associated with high energy trauma and present a challenge to successful management and sometimes, early and correct diagnosis. These patients require more aggressive blood resuscitation particularly in the first 24 hours, repeated wound care operations, and often require a diverting colostomy. Usually these pelvic fractures can be distinguished from closed pelv...