Preperitoneal Packing Research Articles

The 10 commandments of exsanguinating pelvic fracture management

Background:Unstable pelvic fractures are highly lethal injuries.Objective:The review aims to summarize the landmark management changes in the past two decades.Methods:Structured review based on pertinent published literatures on severe pelvic fracture was performed.Results:Ten key management points were identified.Conclusion:These 10 recommendations help diminish and prevent the mortality. (1) Before the ABCDE management, preparedness, protection, and decision are essential to optimize patient outcome and to conserve resources. (2) Do not rock the pelvis to check stability, avoid logrolling but prophylactic pelvic binder can be life-saving. (3) Computed tomography scanner can be the tunnel to death for hemodynamically unstable patients. (4) Correct application of pelvic binder at the greater trochanter level to achieve the most effective compression. (5) Choose the suitable binder (BEST does not exist, always look for BETTER) to facilitate body examination and therapeutic intervention. (6) Massive transfusion protocol is only a temporizing measure to sustain the circulation for life maintenance. (7) Damage control operation aims to promptly stop the bleeding to restore the physiology by combating the trauma lethal triad to be followed by definitive anatomical repair. (8) Protocol-driven teamwork management expedites the completion of the multi-phase therapy including external pelvic fixation, pre-peritoneal pelvic packing, and angio-embolization, preceded by laparotomy when indicated. (9) Resuscitation endovascular balloon occlusion of aorta can reduce the pelvic bleeding while awaiting hospital transfer or operation theater access. (10) Operation is the definitive therapy for trauma but prevention is the best treatment, comprising primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.

Technical limitations of REBOA in a patient with exsanguinating pelvic crush trauma: a case report

BackgroundResuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is an effective adjunct in hemodynamic unstable patients with uncontrolled and non-compressible torso hemorrhage promoting temporary stability during injury repair. The aim of our study was to analyze real life usability of REBOA based on a case report and to review the literature with respect to its possibilities and limitations.Case presentationWe present the case of a 17-years old female patient who sustained a severe roll-over trauma and pelvic crush injury as a bicyclist by a truck. Upon arrival of the first responders, the patient was awake, alert, and following commands.Subsequent to lifting the truck, the patient became hypotensive and required cardiopulmonary resuscitation, application of a pelvic binder, and endotracheal intubation at the accident scene. She was then admitted by ambulance to our trauma center under ongoing resuscitative measures. After primary survey, it was decided to perform a REBOA with surgical approach to the left femoral artery. Initial insertion of the catheter was successful but could not be advanced beyond the inguinal region. Hence, the patient was transferred to the operating room (OR) but died despite maximum therapy. In the OR and later autopsy, we found a long-distance ruptured and dehiscent external iliac artery with massive bleeding into the pelvis in the context of a bilateral vertical shear fractured pelvic bone.ConclusionREBOA can be a useful adjunct but there is a major limitation with potential vascular injury after pelvic trauma. In these situations, cross-clamping the proximal aorta or pre-peritoneal pelvic packing as “traditional” approaches of hemorrhage control during resuscitation may be the most considerable methods for temporary stabilization in severely injured trauma patients. More clinical and cadaveric studies are needed to further understand indications and limitations of REBOA after severe pelvic trauma.

Successful Partial Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) in an Octogenarian Trauma Patient

- Background: To demonstrate how to perform successful REBOA/ABO in extreme elderly patient
 - Materials and methods: A case report
 - Results:
 A 86-year old male, he was struck by car and transferred to Level I Trauma center at Siriraj hospital after injury for 30 minutes. Arrival clinical signs were coma and hypotension, lowest SBP was 50 mmHg. Primary survey found unstable pelvic fracture and severe head injury. We did REBOA at Zone I via left common femoral artery which aim to do partial balloon technique by inflation with 15-18 mL and arterial line monitoring for goal SBP around 100-120 mmHg due to his extreme age and associated traumatic brain injury. After CT scan showed no intra-abdominal injury, we did reposition the balloon to zone III under fluoroscopy. Unexpectedly, during deflation the balloon before removal, we found fresh blood through the balloon port, then ruptured balloon was suspected and confirmed with aortography. We immediately converted to remove by open technique due to balloon was failed to shrinkage through 7-Fr sheath. We reviewed the CT scan was shown calcified plaque along aorta and arteries which could be the cause of ruptured balloon. Throughout all procedures to stop bleeding which are pelvic external fixation, preperitoneal pelvic packing and embolization at right internal iliac artery, patient was given PRC only 4 units and no inotropic support to stabilizing patient. Total inflation time was 167 minutes with partial and intermittent REBOA technique. ICU Admission lab showed normal renal and liver function.
 - Conclusion :
 To perform ABO/REBOA in extreme elderly trauma patient, the partial balloon technique with goal SBP to balance between associated injury in polytrauma patient is very essential. The specific concern in this group would be related with reserve function and the changing of vascular access. Techniques for detection and solving the uneventful conditions should be prepared and learnt to successfully save the elderly patient.

Preperitoneal balloon tamponade and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta: Alternatives to open packing for pelvic fracture-associated hemorrhage.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of preperitoneal balloon tamponade (PPB), resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the orta (REBOA), and open preperitoneal packing (OP) in a realistic animal model of pelvic fracture-associated hemorrhage. Thirty-nine swine underwent creation of open-book pelvic fracture and iliac vascular injury. Animals were randomized to no intervention (n = 7), OP (n = 10), PPB (n = 9), zone 1 REBOA (n = 7), and zone 3 REBOA (n = 6) at a mean arterial pressure less than 40 mm Hg from uncontrolled hemorrhage. Primary outcome was survival at 1 hour. Secondary outcomes included survival in the immediate 10 m following intervention reversal, peak preperitoneal pressure (PP), blood loss, bleed rate, and peak lactate. Prior to injury, no difference was measured between groups for weight, hemodynamics, lactate, and hematocrit (all p = NS). The injury was uniformly lethal without intervention, with survival time (mean) of 5 m, peak PP of 14 mm Hg, blood loss of 960 g, bleed rate of 450 g/m, and peak lactate of 2.6 mmol/L. Survival time (m) was extended to 44 with OP, 60 with PPB, and 60 with REBOA (p < 0.01). Peak PP (mm Hg) was 19 with OP, 23 with PPB, 10 with zone 1 REBOA, and 6 with zone 3 REBOA (p < 0.05). Blood loss (g) was 850 with OP, 930 with PPB, 610 with zone 1 REBOA, and 370 with zone 3 REBOA (p < 0.01). Peak lactate (mmol/L) was 3.3 with OP, 4.3 with PPB, 13.4 with zone 1 REBOA, and 5.3 with zone 3 REBOA (p < 0.01). Only 33% of zone 1 REBOA animals survived the initial 10 m after balloon deflation, compared to 60% for OP, 67% for PPB, and 100% for zone 3 REBOA (p < 0.01). Preperitoneal balloon tamponade and zone 3 REBOA are effective alternatives to OP in this animal model of lethal pelvic fracture-associated hemorrhage. Zone 1 REBOA extends survival time but with high mortality upon reversal.

The effect of hemorrhage control adjuncts on outcome in severe pelvic fracture: A multi-institutional study.

Hemodynamically unstable patients with severe pelvic fracture are a significant challenge to trauma surgeons and have high mortality. Significant variability across institutions in hemorrhage control adjuncts used to quell pelvic bleeding has been demonstrated. However, the effect of these methods on time to definitive bleeding control, type of resuscitation given, and outcomes remains unknown. We sought to elucidate those effects. This was a multicenter retrospective review of severe pelvic fracture patients in shock between 2011 and 2016. Shock was defined as systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, heart rate greater than 120 beats per minute, or base deficit less than -5. Definitive bleeding control was defined as time to surgical control in the operating room or embolization by interventional radiology. Significance level was at p less than 0.05. A total of 279 severe pelvic fracture patients with shock on admission from 12 trauma centers were included. The cohort was primarily male (62%) with median (interquartile range) age of 40 years (28-54 years), Injury Severity Score of 38 (29-50), and Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13 (3-15). Overall mortality was 32%. The most common adjunct used was pelvic binder (50%) followed by no adjunct (30.5%); least common was resuscitative balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) (2.5%). Preperitoneal packing alone and REBOA alone/with other adjunct(s) resulted in the fastest times to operating room/interventional radiology but also had the highest blood utilization and mortality rates. Resuscitative balloon occlusion of the aorta was most often used along with pelvic binder (6 of 13; 46%). Marked variation in management of severe pelvic fracture patients in shock indicates the need for a standardized approach to maximize outcomes and minimize transfusion requirements. The use of preperitoneal packing and/or REBOA yielded fastest times to definitive bleeding control. However, REBOA continues to be infrequently used. Future prospective analysis of this combination needs further validation in patients with severe pelvic hemorrhage. Therapeutic study, level IV.

Prospective validation of a new protocol with preperitoneal pelvic packing as the mainstay for the treatment of hemodynamically unstable pelvic trauma: a 5-year experience.

Hemodynamically unstable pelvic trauma has been a significant challenge even in most experienced Trauma Centres. In 2011 preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) was introduced in our Hospital as the first manoeuvre. This study aims to review overall mortality at 24h from arrival in the emergency department. A retrospective review of our prospective database was performed considering patients with systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90mmHg or with the need for more than 2 Units of packed red blood cells (PRBC) on admission in the emergency department, (ED) and a pelvic fracture. Values were expressed as a median and interquartile range. Continuous variables were compared with the Mann-Whitney test. Between September 2011 and December 2016, we treated 30 patients. Median age was 51years (40-65) and Injury Severity Score 36 (34-42). SBP in the ED was 90 (67-99), heart rate was 115 (90-130), Base Excess - 8 (- 11.5/- 4.8), pH 7.23 (7.20-7.28). Median PRBC requirements during the first 24h (from admission) were 13 Units (8-18.8). Time to emergency treatment was 63min (51-113). 17 patients (56.6%) underwent angiography after PPP. Overall 24h mortality was 30%. A comparison between survivors and non-survivors showed no statistically significant differences between groups. In our experience, PPP resulted to be quick to perform and effective. No death occurred from direct pelvic bleeding.

Pelvic Fractures and Indications for Pelvic Packing: An Update

Purpose of review Patients with hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures have a high mortality from pelvic hemorrhage. The purpose of this paper is to review preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) as an approach for these patients, including recent outcomes, and evaluation of treatment algorithms including angioembolization and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA).

Strategies for the management of hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures: From preperitoneal pelvic packing to definitive internal fixation

Preperitoneal pelvic packing is useful, and favorable treatment outcomes have been reported. However, the timing of subsequent internal fixation of the pelvis is still debatable. We report the outcomes of a study on patients that underwent internal fixation after preperitoneal packing. A retrospective review was performed for patients with hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture who underwent preperitoneal pelvic packing and internal fixation. Patients who underwent internal fixation with simultaneous packing removal were placed in Group 1. Patients who underwent definitive internal fixation later were placed in Group 2. Of the 56 patients (mean age 44.7 years), 36 were male. The mean time from injury to internal fixation was 1.3 (1-2) days and 5.6 (3-10) days in Group 1 and 2, respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean duration of stay in the intensive care unit: 10.9 (3-54) days in Group 1 vs. 14.4 (5-43) days in Group 2 (p=0.019). Thirty-one cases of complications occurred among 14 patients (25%), including six cases of surgical site infection. Among the six cases of infection, four were superficial and two were deep; five of these cases occurred in Group 2, including both cases of deep infection (p=0.013). Performing internal fixation with packing removal should aid the return of the patient to a stable state, as it is possible to utilize the same incision line used for the original packing procedure, while providing stability to the pelvis.

Occult injuries of the contralateral sacroiliac joint in operatively treated pelvis fractures: incidence, root cause analysis, and proposal of treatment algorithm.

To determine the most common injury patterns, root cause, and the frequency with which unrecognized contralateral posterior ring injury occurs in patients presenting with surgically treated pelvic fractures. The medical records of 73 patients presenting to our level I trauma center (52 male and 21 female patients; mean age 41.8years; range 18-89years) with surgically treated pelvic ring fractures between January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2018 were reviewed. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, imaging prior to binder or external fixation, use of temporary stabilization with pre-peritoneal pelvic packing (PPP) and anterior pelvic external fixation, and fracture pattern were recorded and analyzed to identify independent risk factors contributing to occult contralateral missed posterior ring injury. Occult contralateral pelvic ring injuries occurred in 6/72 patients (8.2% incidence). Pelvis fractures in multiply traumatized patients with associated orthopaedic injuries were associated with higher prevalence of occult contralateral pelvic ring injury (relative risk 1.85, 95% CI 1.13-3.02) as compared to patients with isolated pelvic fractures. There is an 8.2% incidence of unrecognized contralateral SI joint instability in patients presenting with unstable pelvic ring injuries. Multiply traumatized patients with multiple orthopaedic injuries were an independent risk factor for this injury pattern.

Effectiveness and postoperative wound infection of preperitoneal pelvic packing in patients with hemodynamic instability caused by pelvic fracture.

IntroductionDespite the use of a multidisciplinary treatment approach, the mortality rate of hemodynamic instability due to severe pelvic fracture remains 40–60%. Several recent studies have shown that preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) was useful for achieving hemostasis in these patients in the acute phase. However, few studies have examined postoperative complications. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and wound infections of PPP in these patients.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 62 patients with hemorrhagic shock due to pelvic fracture between March 2011 and May 2017. Excluding four patients (two with other major hemorrhage sites and two who experienced cardiac arrest in the emergency room), the patients were divided into PPP (n = 30) and non-PPP (n = 28) groups according to PPP application. Clinical outcomes including early-stage mortality, transfusion amount, and surgical site infection (SSI) were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe overall mortality rate was 48.3% and the mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 39 ± 9. The 30 patients in the PPP group had a significantly lower hemorrhage-induced mortality rate than the 28 patients in the non-PPP group (16.7% vs 50%, p = 0.019), although both groups had similar patient characteristics (age, ISS, and initial serum lactate level). Independent factors associated with hemorrhage-induced mortality were PPP and the requirement of packed red blood cells for 4 h. In the PPP group, SSI occurred in 5 of 25 (20%) patients.ConclusionsPPP may be considered as a hemostatic modality for hemodynamic instability due to pelvic fracture because it reduces the hemorrhage-induced mortality rate. However, wound infections after the procedure should be considered.

Pre-peritoneal pelvic packing for the management of life-threatening pelvic fractures.

Pre-peritoneal pelvic packing (PPP) is a technique used for treating pelvic hemorrhage in patients with pelvic fractures and hemodynamic instability after a high-energy trauma representing a life-threatening situation. The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive review of the literature. A review of the medical literature was performed, based on the following inclusion criteria: patients sustaining pelvic fractures with hemodynamic instability and the inclusion of PPP as a tool for hemorrhage control. Articles not involving human patients, review articles, surveys, pediatric patients, hemodynamic stability, case reports, and not directly related publications; such as angiography with or without embolization, and REBOA use for hemorrhage control as a primary outcome evaluation were excluded from this search. Eleven articles out of seventy-seven identified publications between 2008 and 2018 met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. PPP is a surgical approach used in life-threatening situations due to pelvic fracture with high risk of death for exsanguination. Performed expediently, good results can be obtained with a decrease in the need for blood products, improved systolic blood pressure, and a decrease in mortality rates overall. This makes PPP an important life-saving tool.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Treating Traumatic Pelvic Fractures: 1.1 www.aornjournal.org/content/cme.

Pelvic fractures are traumatic injuries that can be caused by motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, motor vehicle-related pedestrian injuries, or falls from a significant height. These injuries can be life threatening because of the high vascularity of the pelvis and the difficulty in being able to see bleeding occurring in this area. Traditional approaches to treat pelvic fractures have been pelvic binding, external fixation, and open preperitoneal packing; however, the use of angiography and embolization enables faster pinpointing of the location of the bleeding. Increased use of hybrid ORs for treating traumatic pelvic fractures combines the superior imaging of interventional radiology with an OR that can quickly provide open interventions without needing to move a patient from an interventional radiology suite to another OR. This improvement in technology has combined the resources and knowledge of more diverse disciplines to provide a more centralized approach to improving patient outcomes.

Optimal sequence of surgical procedures for hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fracture: A network meta-analysis

BackgroundThe mortality rate of patients with hemodynamic instability due to severe pelvic fracture remains substantial and massive transfusion happens frequently. Angio-embolization, external fixation and preperitoneal pelvic packing of the pelvis are the main managements used to control bleeding in these patients. In this paper, we aimed at characterizing the rationale of these surgical managements, and placed them in optimal management algorithm to compose a new guideline. MethodsWe selected controlled trials, assessing safety of management for the intervention of hemorrhagic shock from mortality data, and assessing efficacy from volume of first 24 h blood transfusion following hospitalization. Six single and combined managements were extracted as comparison. A pairwise meta-analysis was conducted using a random effect model, and then the analysis was extended to a network meta-analysis. Pooled effect sizes were ranked and demonstrated the probability of being the best treatments for safety and efficacy. Results13 clinical trials and 24,396 participants were identified for this analysis. The assessment of rank probability indicated that pelvic packing presented the greatest likelihood of improving safety, while external fixation was indicated most efficient among the interventions for controlling hemorrhage. ConclusionsClinical protocols for guidelines of hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture patients have been multidirectionally developed. We strongly support the initial application of an external fixator. Provided that patients remain hemodynamically unstable after application of an external fixation, pelvic packing is the next procedure to consider. Angio-embolization is the complementary but not alternative method of choice subsequently.

Bilateral distal ureteral transection in the setting of blunt trauma

A 69-year-old obese man was involved in a high-speed head-on motor vehicle collision. He was tachycardic and normotensive on arrival. He subsequently developed hemodynamic instability requiring blood transfusion. On examination...

Severe Bleeding in Pelvic Fractures: Considerations in Planning Damage Control

Severe bleeding due to pelvic fractures may require damage control procedures, such as preperitoneal packing. In many cases, preperitoneal packing is performed without full abdominal exploration. There are concerns that such an approach may miss major iliac vascular injuries or other intraabdominal injuries. This analysis assessed the incidence of iliac vascular and intraabdominal injuries in patients with pelvic fractures. The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for blunt trauma patients. Patients with severe pelvic fractures were observed. Common or external iliac vascular lacerations (CEIVL) and associated intraabdominal injuries were recorded. The study comprised 42,122 patients with pelvic fractures, of which 3,221 (7.6%) were severe pelvic fractures. The incidence of CEIVL in patients with severe pelvic fractures was 10.7 per cent. Patient age greater than or equal to 65 years was an independent predictor of CEIVL. A total of 34.3 per cent of severe pelvic fracture patients had severe associated intraabdominal injuries, including injuries to the bladder (26.5%) and bowel (16.7%). Severe pelvic fractures are associated with a high incidence of iliac vascular and intraabdominal injuries. Preperitoneal pelvic packing without abdominal exploration may miss these injuries.

Haemodynamically unstable pelvic trauma: initial validation of a dedicated protocol by a retrospective cohort study with historical controls

Background: We present our experience after the introduction of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)©, Trauma Team (TT) and Preperitoneal Pelvic Packing (PPP) protocols for the treatment of hemodynamically unstable pelvic blunt trauma.Methods: This is a retrospective study with historical controls: before (Control Group, CG) and after (Study Group SG) the introduction of the protocol. A single physician managed the CG and angiography was the emergency manoeuvre. A team with ATLS guidelines and PPP as an emergency manoeuvre managed the SG. Data were collected retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: before and after the introduction of protocols.Results: From January 2007 to October 2014, 36 patients were treated at our Centre. We consider patients from January 2007 to August 2011 (19 patients, CG) and from September 2011 to October 2014 (17 patients, SG). Median age was 54 years (43–69) in the CG vs. 47 (40–63) in the SG (p = 0.43), median initial SBP 90 mmHg (85–103) in the CG 94 (69–103) in the SG, (p = 0.60), heart rate was 90 (80–110) in the G and 110 (95–130) in the SG, (p = 0.09). Median Injury Severity Score was 33 (21–41) in the CG and 34 (26–41) in the SG (p = 0.29). Time from arrival in the Emergency Department to first therapeutic manoeuvre was 132 minutes (109–180) in the CG and 87 minutes (51–204) in the SG (p = 0.4). The difference in mortality was statistically significant: 64.7% (11/17) in the CG and 23.5% (4/17) in the SG (p = 0.02).Conclusions: The introduction of protocols changed our approach in hemodynamically unstable pelvic trauma, achieving a remarkable improvement in early mortality.

Improvement of outcomes in patients with pelvic fractures and hemodynamic instability after the establishment of a Korean regional trauma center

Despite using a multidisciplinary treatment approach, the mortality rate of patients with hemodynamic instability from severe pelvic fractures is still 40-60%. We evaluated the improvement of outcomes in this patient population after the establishment of a regional trauma center in Korea. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 50 patients with hemodynamic instability due to pelvic fractures between March 2011 and November 2016. Patients were divided into two groups: the pre-trauma center (PTC) group (n = 23) and trauma center (TC) group (n = 27). Sixteen (32.0%) patients died of exsanguination. Patients in the TC group had shorter trauma resuscitation room stay (101 vs 273min, p < 0.001) and underwent preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) more frequently (88.9 vs 8.7%, p < 0.001) than those in the PTC group. During the TC period, emergent procedures such as PPP and pelvic angiography were performed more frequently (92.6 vs 39.1%, p < 0.001). Although there was no statistical difference in the overall mortality rate between groups, patients in the TC group had less mortality due to hemorrhage (18.5 vs 47.8%, p = 0.027). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that initial systolic blood pressure and establishment of trauma center were independent protective factors of mortality from hemorrhage [odds ratio (OR) 0.957, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.926-0.988, p = 0.007; OR 0.134, 95% CI 0.028-0.633, p = 0.011]. Since the regional trauma center was established, emergent procedures such as pelvic angiography and PPP were performed more frequently, and mortality due to exsanguination was significantly decreased.

Interventional and operative procedures in complex and poly-trauma

Previously any general surgeon could practice trauma as the approaches to even complex trauma were straightforward: open the appropriate body cavity, identify the bleeding organ, and repair the damage. The high morbidity and mortality associated with this approach has given way to new concepts and techniques. Resuscitative thoracotomy has in part been replaced by resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA). The approach to hemorrhage associated with complex pelvic fractures has evolved with the addition of REBOA, and preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP). Damage control laparotomy (DCL) has been utilized less frequently thanks to better resuscitation. The evolution of these techniques has guided trauma surgery to becoming a distinct specialty.

Current trends in the management of hemodynamically unstable pelvic ring injuries

Complex traumatic pelvic ring disruptions are associated with a high mortality rate due to associated retroperitoneal hemorrhage, traumatic-hemorrhagic shock, and postinjury coagulopathy. The present review provides an update on current management strategies to improve survival rates form hemodynamically unstable pelvic ring injuries. Recently published international consensus guidelines have attempted to standardize the classification of hemodynamically unstable pelvic ring injuries and provided classification-based management algorithms for acute resuscitation and pelvic ring stabilization. Acute management strategies for pelvic ring disruptions with associated hemorrhagic shock include resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta for patients 'in extremis' in conjunction with point-of-care guided resuscitation for postinjury coagulopathy. Recent data indicate that a protocol of early pelvic external fixation in conjunction with direct preperitoneal pelvic packing and subsequent angioembolization in patients with ongoing hemorrhage results in significantly improved survival from retroperitoneal exsanguinating hemorrhage in at-risk patients with historic mortality rates as high as 50-60%.

Preperitoneal pelvic packing is effective for hemorrhage control in open pelvic fractures

BackgroundOpen pelvic fractures are life-threatening injuries. Preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) has been suggested to be ineffective for hemorrhage control in open pelvic fractures. We hypothesize that PPP is effective at hemorrhage control in patients with open pelvic fractures and reduces mortality. MethodsPatients undergoing PPP from 2005 to 2015 were analyzed. Patients with open pelvic fractures were defined as direct communication of the bony injury with overlying soft tissue, vagina, or rectum. ResultsDuring the 10-year study, 126 patients underwent PPP; 14 (11%) sustained an open pelvic fracture. After PPP, 1 patient (7%) underwent angioembolization with a documented arterial blush. PPP controlled pelvic hemorrhage in all patients. Overall mortality rate was 7% with one death due to traumatic brain injury. ConclusionsPPP is effective for hemorrhage control in patients with open pelvic fractures. PPP should be used in a standard protocol for hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fractures regardless of associated perineal injuries.