A Water Slide Accident Resulting in an Open Book Pelvic Injury and Subsequent Pulmonary Embolus: A Case Report

Abstract

Obesity and pelvic injuries are well-known independent risk factors for developing a pulmonary embolus; however, there is minimal literature with regard to obesity being a risk factor for suffering a pelvic injury from descending a water slide. We believe that obese patients are potentially at increased risk of receiving open book pelvic injuries on modern-day high-velocity water slides. To our knowledge, there are no other reports of a patient suffering an open book pelvic injury and a subsequent pulmonary embolus due to a water slide accident. We also propose a mechanism of injury for an obese person developing an open book pelvic injury from a water slide. An obese 46-year-old female descended on a thrill ride at a popular water park and sustained an open book pelvic injury. She subsequently developed a pulmonary embolus while awaiting open reduction and internal fixation of the anterior pelvic ring. One month post-injury, she had uneventful open reduction and internal fixation and went on to have an uneventful postoperative course. Patrons and amusement park owners should be aware of the increased risk an obese person is at when using a high-velocity water slide. There should be appropriate emergency personnel and equipment on site in anticipation of a possible high-energy injury.