Characteristics and management of pelvic fractures in Lushan earthquake rescue

Abstract

Objective To analyze the characteristics and treatment of pelvic fractures in the Lushan earthquake rescue.Methods From 20 April to 3 May,2013 we treated 23 patients with pelvic fracture who had been injured in the earthquake at Lushan,Yaan,Sichuan,China.They were 12 men and 11 women,aged from 24 to 81 years (average,48.9 years).Their fractures were caused by crushing and hitting of a heavy object (10 cases),falling from a great height (8 cases) and falling (5 cases).By Tile classification,10were type A,6 type B and 7 type C.Complicated injuries:hemorrhagic shock in 4,male urethral injury in one,thoracic injury in 5,craniocerebral injury in 2 and fractures of other sites in 16.The characteristics and treatment measures of these patients were summarized.Results All the 5 falling patients had a type A fracture and an average age of 74.7 years.The 8 patients falling from a great height averaged 36.4 years,and had a type A fracture in 2,a type B fracture in 3 and a type C fracture in 3.The 10 patients crushed or hit by a heavy object averaged 51.3 years,and had a type A fracture in 3,a type B fracture in 3 and a type C fracture in 4.All the 10 type A fractures underwent nonoperative treatment.Of the 6 type B fractures,3underwent nonoperative treatment and 3 operative treatment.Minimally invasive fixation under navigation was performed in 2 cases and open reduction via the Stoppa approach and internal fixation in one.All the type C fractures received operative treatment.Minimally invasive fixation under navigation was performed in 4 cases,open reduction via the Stoppa approach and internal fixation in one,and open reduction via the combined iliac fossa and groin approaches and internal fixation in 2.Conclusion Since pelvic fractures caused in an earthquake have their own characteristics in injury mechanism,fracture type,complication and treatment,individualized treatment measures should be taken according to specific fracture characteristics and medical resources. Key words: Earthquake; Pelvis; Fractures, bone