Pelvic emergency management: the first 24 hours

Abstract

Pelvic ring injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the polytrauma patient. Mortality rates from pelvic ring injuries have declined, unrelated to injury severity. This is due to an improved understanding of trauma as a disease, initial and subsequent management options. There are a number of guidelines pertaining to these injuries. These have been brought together to provide an overview of the current guidance on the emergent management of these complex injuries. The foundations of treatment for these injuries includes the following: recognition of the high energy involved, rapid assessment, resuscitation and temporary stabilization of bony and soft tissue injuries. It is important to involve a multidisciplinary team prior to definitive management. By following the guidance set out by this article, the orthopaedic trauma team in the receiving hospital can optimize the patient and prepare them for transfer to the regional major trauma centre. This will improve patient morbidity and mortality and ensure standardization of pelvic trauma management in the first 24 hours.