The Ideal Pelvic Binder

What's important in a pelvic binder?

Karim Brohi, London, UK, April 17, 2008

Pelvic binders have replaced external fixation for the immediate stablization of pelvic ring fractures.  This article describes the features to look for, and avoid, in choosing a pelvic binder.

Standards for the management of open fractures of the lower limb

BOAST Guidelines from the British Orthopaedic Association and the British Association of Plastic & Aesthetic Surgeons

Karim Brohi, London, UK, February 06, 2010

New comprehensive, evidence based guidelines on the management of open fractures should lead to reorganisation of service delivery and a more comprehensive approach to these potentially catastrophic injuries.

PubMed ID: 19204518
J Trauma. 2009 Feb;66(2):429-35
Authors: Fang JF, Shih LY, Wong YC, Lin BC, Hsu YP

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Most arterial hemorrhage associated with pelvic fracture can be adequately controlled by a single transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). However, there is a small group of patients who remain hemodynamically unstable after TAE, have no other identifiable source of bleeding, and who benefit from repeat TAE of the pelvis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with hemorrhage from pelvic fractures between January 2001 and June 2006. Clinical parameters and results were compared between patients requiring more than one pelvic TAE and those undergoing a single TAE. Risk factors for repeat TAE were identified by univariate and stepwise logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: During the study period, 174 of 964 patients with pelvic fracture received pelvic angiography for suspected arterial hemorrhage. One hundred forty TAEs were performed. Thirty-four (24.3%) patients underwent more than one angiography for suspected recurrent arterial hemorrhage, and 26 (18.6%) underwent repeat TAE. Repeat angiography was performed 3 to 58 hours (mean, 21 hours) after initial TAE. Patients with repeat TAE had significantly more blood transfusions, higher mortality rate, and longer intensive care unit stay. Independent predictors for repeat TAE included initial hemoglobin level lower than 7.5 g/dL (OR, 6.22), superselective arterial embolization in initial TAE (OR, 3.22), and more than 6 units of blood transfusion after initial TAE (OR, 3.22). CONCLUSION: Careful monitoring and prompt recognition of patients requiring repeat TAE is paramount. The arterial access sheath should remain in place for up to 72 hours after angiography. Initial hemoglobin level lower than 7.5 g/dL and more than 6 units of blood transfusion after initial angiography are predictors for repeat TAE. Superselective TAE is associated with a significantly higher risk of recurrent hemorrhage, and its use should be limited.