Paper presented at the 26th Annual Meeting of the American Pediatric Surgical Association Boca Raton, Florida, May 20–23, 1995Death from pelvic fracture: Children are different☆
Abstract
This study compares outcome from pelvic fractures in children with that of adults. Data for 23,700 children registered in the National Pediatric Trauma Registry (NPTR) were compared with those of 10,720 adults recorded over 5 years in the registry of our level I trauma center. Patients were categorized by open versus closed fracture and by fracture type as defined by a modification of the Key and Conwell system. Outcome was evaluated by mortality rate and incidence of fracture-induced fatal exsanguination. The 722 pelvic fractures recorded in the NPTR represent 3% of the population and is half the frequency represented by the 532 adults evaluated (P < .001). The overall mortality rate was 5% for children and 17% for adults. Two children died of fracture-related exsanguination; there were 18 such deaths among the adults. Pelvic ring disruption was encountered more commonly among adults, and was associated with a significantly higher mortality rate. Patients with initial hemodynamic instability were more likely to die, although children less so than adults. The authors conclude that children do not die of pelvic fracture-associated hemorrhage as often as adults. Massive blood loss in the child occurs most commonly from solid visceral injury rather than from pelvic vascular disruption.
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Cited by (135)
Comparison of pediatric pelvic fractures and associated injuries caused by different types of road traffic accidents
2024, Chinese Journal of Traumatology - English EditionTo explore the clinical characteristics of pediatric pelvic fracturs caused by traffic accidents and to analyze the accompanying injuries and complications.
A total of 222 cases involved traffic accidents was enrolled in this case-control study. The data of children with pelvic fractures caused by traffic accidents who were admitted to our hospital from January 2006 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Sex, age, Tile classification, abbreviated injury scale score, injury severity score, mortality, and accompanying injuries were studied. The ANOVA was used for measurement data, and the non-parametric rank sum test was used for non-normally distributed data. The Fisher's exact probability method was used for the count data.
Of all enrolled cases, 140 are boys and 82 are girls, including 144 aged < 6 years, 65 aged between 6 and 12 years, and 13 aged > 12 years. Depending on the injury mechanism, there are 15 cases involving pedestrians vs. motorcycles (PVM), 91 cases involving pedestrians vs. passenger cars (PVC), 78 cases involving pedestrians vs. commercial vehicles (PVV), and 38 cases involving motor vehicles vs. motor vehicles (MVM). Associated injuries are reported in 198 cases (89.2%), primarily involving the abdomen injury in 144 cases (64.9%), and lower limb injury in 99 cases (44.6%). PVV injury involves longer hospital stay (p = 0.004). Intensive care unit admission rate is significantly higher in the MVM group than in other groups (p = 0.004). Head injury (p = 0.001) and face injury (p = 0.037) are more common in the MVM group, whereas abdominal injury (p = 0.048) and lower limb injury (p = 0.037) are more common in the PVV group. In the MVM group, the brain injury (p = 0.004) and femoral neck injury (p = 0.044) are more common. In the PVM group, the mediastinum (p = 0.004), ear (p = 0.009), lumbar vertebrae (p = 0.008), and spinal cord (p = 0.011) are the most vulnerable regions, while in the PVV group, the perineum (p < 0.001), urethra (p = 0.001), rectum (p = 0.006), anus (p = 0.004), and lower limb soft tissues (p = 0.024) are the most vulnerable regions. Children aged > 12 years have higher pelvic abbreviated injury scale scores (p = 0.019). There are significant differences in the classification of pelvic fractures among children < 6, 6 – 12, and > 12 years of age, with Tile C being more likely to occur in children > 12 years of age (p = 0.033). Children aged > 12 years are more likely to sustain injuries to the spleen (p = 0.022), kidneys (p = 0.019), pancreas (p < 0.001), lumbar vertebrae (p = 0.013), and sacrum (p = 0.024). The MVM group has the highest complication rate (p = 0.003).
PVC is the leading cause of the abdomen and lower extremities injury and has the most concomitant injuries. Different traffic injuries often lead to different associated injuries. Older children are more likely to sustain more severe pelvic fractures and peripelvic organs injuries. The MVM group has the highest extent of injury and complication rates.
No algorithm exists to guide the orthopedic treatment of pediatric patients with pelvic fractures, as most analytic studies have been conducted in adults. The goal of this study was to identify prognostic factors of pelvic fractures, and suggest whether early total care can be safely provided.
A retrospective trauma database for pediatric pelvic fractures from 2002-2018 was gathered, and patient charts were reviewed.
A total of 128 patients were evaluated for pelvic trauma; 99 injuries were secondary to motor vehicle accidents (MVA) (77%), and 19 were secondary to falls (15%). Patients were more likely to be male (71%), older (33% aged 15-16 years, 2% aged 0-1 years), to experience a head trauma (55%), to be treated conservatively (70%), and to survive their trauma (91%). About half of the patients (49%) experienced an additional extremity trauma. When exploring the prognostic factors, mortality was associated with thoracic trauma (72% vs. 27%, p<0.05); a lower reduction of neutrophils levels 48 hours after the initial trauma (-1.34 vs. -7.7, p<0.05); a more significant reduction upon arrival of Prothrombin Time (72% vs. 37%, p<0.01), and an increment of International Normalized Ratio (2.29 vs. 1.26, p<0.01) and Partial Thromboplastin Time (79 vs 28, p<0.01). There was also a higher demand for Fresh Frozen Plasma (24% vs. 9%, p<0.05); Upon presentation, there was a higher Injury Severity Score (49 vs. 21, p<0.001), and a lower systolic Blood Pressure (96 vs. 118, p<0.05); The deceased did not have a very prolonged stay in the hospital (3 days vs. 12 days, P<0.01); Mortality was not significantly associated with either Early Total Care or Damage Control Orthopedics.
Prognostic factors in pediatric patients with pelvic fractures parallel those of the adult population. Pediatric patients tendentiously outlive their pelvic trauma, whether the course of action taken by their surgeons is Conservative by nature, Early Total Care or Damage Control Orthopedics.
Pelvic Fracture Urethral Distraction Defects in Preschool Boys: How to Recognize and Manage?
2022, UrologyTo share the cases of pelvic fracture urethral distraction defect (PFUDD) in preschool boys and evaluate the transperineal anastomotic urethroplasty strategy for the treatment of these cases.
Between January 2010 and May 2021, 8 preschool boys (<6 years) with PFUDD underwent the transperineal anastomotic urethroplasty in our center were retrospectively reviewed. Etiology was traumatic pelvic fracture in all boys. The type of trauma included: fall injury in 1 and vehicle crush injury in 7. Urethroplasty was performed at least 3 months after initial trauma or the last failed intervention. One of them suffered from PFUDD associated with urethrorectal fistula received urethroplasty combined with fistula repair. A successful urethroplasty was defined as restoring the patency and continuity of urethra and no further interventions were needed.
Follow-up was obtained in all the 8 preschool boys for 3-135 (median: 65) months. The average age was 4.1 years old (range 1-5). After operation, the final success rate was 100%. Neither stenosis recurrence nor urinary fistulas were reported during follow-up. Of the 8 boys, 1 developed urinary incontinence, only occurring after high-intensity exercise such as running. Potency state could not be evaluated for all boys due to the young age. One boy reported having normal morning erection after a follow-up of 135 months.
PFUDD in preschool boys is a challenge for both the urologist and parent. Our study preliminarily confirmed that the progressive anastomotic urethroplasty strategy can ensure a high success rate.
Can’t move your hips: Pelvic fractures
2021, Pediatric Imaging for the Emergency ProviderPediatric pelvis injuries are the result of both low-energy and high-energy mechanisms of injury. The routine use of either plain radiography or computed tomography in pediatric patient with hip injury is discouraged. The decision to image should be based on historical factors, including mechanism of injury, and physical examination findings. Plain radiography is the imaging modality of choice when evaluating most children with pelvic injuries, especially low-energy mechanisms, such as those seen in sports injuries. In children with high-energy injury mechanisms, computed tomography often is utilized, although there does appear to be a role for plain radiography in select instances and the use of computed tomography is recommended for patients with complex fractures identified by plain radiographs or if there is concern for intra-abdominal injury.
Pelvic fractures (PF) require high force mechanism and their severity have been linked with an increase in the incidence of associated injuries within the abdomen and chest. Our goal is to assess the impact of solid organ injury (SOI) on the outcome of patients with PF and to identify risk factors predictive of morbidity and mortality among these patients.
We conducted a single-center retrospective review of medical records of patients 16 years or older admitted to our level 1 trauma center with pelvic fracture with and without OI associated from blunt trauma between 1/1/2010-7/31/2015.
979 patients with PF were identified. 261/979 (26.7%) had at least one associated SOI. The grade of the SOI ranged from I to III in 246 patients, grade IV in five patients and grade V in 10 patients with SOI sustained a higher pelvic AIS grade and required a statistically significant greater amount of blood products (BP). Thoracic and urogenital injuries were also more common. The mortality of patients with PF was not affected by the presence of SOI. Increasing age, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale, hypothermia and the amount of BP transfused were predictive of mortality.
The presence of SOI did not affect the outcome of patients with pelvic fracture, although our results may be linked to the limited number of patients with high grade SOI. The degree of pelvic AIS is predictive of associated injuries within the abdomen and chest.
Is computed tomography cystography indicated in children with pelvic fractures?
2020, Chinese Journal of Traumatology - English EditionPelvic fracture evaluation with abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) and formal CT cystography for rule out of urine bladder injury have been commonly employed in pediatric trauma patients. The additional delayed imaging required to obtain optimal CT cystography is, however, associated with increased doses of ionizing radiation to pelvic organs and represent a significant risk in the pediatric population for future carcinogenic risk. We hypothesized that avoidance of routine CT cystography among pediatric pelvic fracture victims would not result in an appreciable rate of missed bladder injuries and would aid in mitigating the radiation exposure risk associated with these additional images.
A retrospective cohort study involving blunt trauma pelvic fractures among pediatric trauma patients (age<14) between the years 1997 and 2016 was conducted utilizing the Israeli National Trauma Registry. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS statistical software version 9.4 via the tests of Chi-square test and two-sided Fisher's exact test. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
A total of 1072 children were identified from the registry for inclusion. Mean age of patients was 7.7 years (range 0–14) and 713 (66.5%) were male. Overall mortality in this population was 4.1% (44/1072). Only 2.1% (23) of pediatric patients with pelvic fractures had bladder injury identified, with just 9 children having intraperitoneal bladder rupture (0.8% of all the patients).
The vast majority of blunt pediatric trauma victims with pelvic fractures do not have urine bladder injuries. Based on our study results we do not recommend the routine utilization of CT cystography in this unique population.
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Presented at the 26th Annual Meeting of the American Pediatric Surgical Association, Boca Raton, Florida, May 20–23, 1995.