Pelvic and acetabular fracture management in intravenous drug users.

Abstract

Pelvic and acetabular fractures are significant injuries associated with high morbidity or mortality. Intravenous drug users (IVDU) represent a challenging group of patients, with an increased risk of complications and infection. To our knowledge there has not been any published literature concerning IVDU and this type of injuries. A group of 19 patients with a history of IVDU and who had sustained an injury were identified. The mean age at injury was 36years old; nine had a pelvic fracture and ten had an acetabular fracture. No complications were observed in the pelvic group. In the acetabular group, the infection risk was 50% and the risk of femoral head avascular necrosis was 33%. The mean follow up was 43.1months from injury. We advise emphasis in the high infection and avascular necrosis rates, when consenting the patient for an operation. Furthermore, non-operative treatment should be considered, where possible. Level III. Retrospective cohort study. Prognostic-investigating the effect of a patient characteristic on the outcome of the disease.