Clinical assessment of pelvic external fixation in hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fracture

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of emergency pelvic external fixation in hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fracture. Methods The clinical data of 56 hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fracture from January 2008 to December 2013 were selected. The changes of hemoglobin, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, serum lactate, urine volume, norepinephrine dosage before and after surgery for 24 h were compared and analyzed. Results Compared with those before surgery, the levels of hemoglobin, mean arterial pressure, serum lactate, urine volume, heart rate after surgery for 24 h were significantly improved: (109±12) g/L vs. (69±22) g/L, (87.8±6.5) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (55.8±7.7) mmHg, (6.3±5.1) mmol/L vs. (10.8±6.6) mmol/L, (35.9±9.9) ml/h vs. (17.6±8.4) ml/h, (84.2±15.4) times/min vs. (146.4±12.1) times/min, and the norepinephrine dosage was significantly reduced: (0.8±0.2) μg/(kg·min) vs.(2.2±0.8) μg/(kg·min). The differences had statistical significance (P<0.05 or <0.01). Conclusion Bedside pelvic external fixation can rapidly improve shock symptom in hemodynamically unstable patients with pelvic fracture, which is safe and efficient. Key words: Pelvis; Fracture fixation; Hemodynamic phenomena