The haemodynamically unstable patient with pelvic fractures
1. Mubarak M Abdelkerimubarak M Abdelkerim
Trauma FellowTrauma Fellow
Hemodynamic Instability in Patients
with Pelvic Fractures
2.
3. Objectives:
Epidemiology & Relevance
Anatomical Review
Classification Systems
Hemorrhage Control
Management
4. Pelvic Fractures: Epidemiology
~3% of all fractures in ED
50-60% secondary to MVA
Motorcycle crashes ~15%
Car vs. pedestrian ~15%
Falls 10-30%
Crush injuries ~5%
Mortality 6-10%; Inc’s to ~50% in unstable pt
Tends to occur in setting of multi-system injury
therefore often other serious injuries
Complications:
Hemorrhage, neurological injury, deformity, GU injury,
GI injury
11. Vascular Anatomy
Vessels lie closely
adherent to posterior
pelvic walls
Most common cause of
bleeding is venous
Most commonly
injured arteries are
superior gluteal and
internal pudendal
12. History & Physical
ABC’s & initial stabilization
AMPLE Hx
Most important feature is mechanism
Destot’s sign:
Hematoma above inguinal ligament or scrotum
Grey-Turner’s sign
Earle’s sign:
Presence of bony prominence, palpable hematoma, or tender
# line on DRE
Blood at urethral meatus / vaginal introitus
Examine pelvis only once
Sensitivity of exam 93% vs. 87% for AP pelvis
Gonzalez et al. J Am Coll Surg. 2002; 194: 121-5
13. Imaging
Plain films
AP
Inlet view / Outlet view
Judet view (oblique)
AP alone ~90% sensitive; combined w/ inlet / outlet views ~94%
sensitive
Limited in ability to clearly delineate posterior injuries
Pelvic films are NOT necessary in pts with normal physical exam +
GCS >13
At least one study shows clinical exam reliable in EtOH
Gonzalez et al. J Am Coll Surg. 2002; 194: 121-5
CT scans
Evaluates extent of posterior injury better
Superior imaging of sacrum and acetabulum
More detailed info about associated injuries
14. FAST/CT/Total Body CT
• Initial clinical experience with a 64-MDCT
whole-body scanner in an emergency department:
better time management and diagnostic quality
• Rieger, Michael MD; Czermak, Benedikt MD; El Attal, Rene MD; Sumann, Günther MD; Jaschke, Werner MD;
Freund, Martin MD
• Journal of Trauma volume 66-3 march 2007 648-657
15.
16.
17.
18. Classification Systems:
Most common are Tile and Young systems
Tile Classification system:
Advantages
Comprehensive
Predicts need for operative intervention
Disadvantages
Does NOT predict morbidity or mortality
Young Classification System:
Advantages
Based on mechanism of injury predicts associated injury
Estimates mortality
Disadvantages
Excludes more minor injuries
19. Classifications and the Risk of Bleeding
• Young-Burgess classification has less inter and inter-
observer reliability
• It is well correlated with the mechanism, the
amount of energy, the concomitant injuries and
transfusion requirements
20. Tile Classification System
Type A: Stable pelvis: post
structures intact
A1: avulsion injury
A2: iliac wing or ant arch #
A3: transverse sacrococcygeal #
22. Tile Classification System
Type C: Unstable
pelvis: complete
disruption of posterior
structures
C1: unilateral
C2: bilateral w/ one side
Type B, one side Type C
C3: bilateral Type C
23. Young Classification System:
Lateral Compression
(50%) – transverse # of
pubic rami, ipsilateral or
contralateral to posterior
injury
LC I – sacral compression on
side of impact
LC II – iliac wing # on side
of impact
LC III – LC-I or LC-II on
side of impact w/
contralateral APC injury
24. Young Classification System:
AP Compression (25%)
Symphyseal and / or
Longitudinal Rami Fractures
APC I – slight widening of
the pubic symphysis and/or
anterior SI joint
APC II – disrupted anterior
SI joint, sacrotuberous, and
sacrospinous ligaments
APC III – complete SI joint
disruption w/ lateral
displacement and
disruption of sacrotuberous
and sacrospinous ligaments
25. Young Classification System:
Vertical Shear (5%)
Symphyseal diastasis or
vertical displacement
anteriorly and posteriorly
Combined Mechanism
Combination of injury
patterns
27. Young: Morbidity & Mortality
Fracture
Type
Severe
Bleeding
Bladder
Rupture
Urethral
Injury
Urethral
Injury
LC - I 0.5% 4% 2% 2%
LC – II 36% 7% 0% 0%
LC – III 60% 20% 20% 20%
APC – I 1% 8% 12% 12%
APC – II 28% 11% 23% 23%
APC – III 53% 14% 36% 36%
VS 75% 15% 25% 25%
CM 58% 16% 21% 21%
28. Comparing The Predictive Value Of The Pelvic Ring Injury By Young And Burgess
And Tile
Georg Osterhoff Max J.Scheyerer et al Injury, 2013
29. Immediate Action
•During primary survey pelvic binders should be used despite the fact there is no
conclusive evidence from the literature to support these binders decrease the
need for transfusion, embolization and improve mortality rates but they
decrease the pelvic volume.
•Prolonged use can cause trochanteric ulcers, also the secondary survey is
difficult while the binder is on.
Chesser T.J,Cross AM,(the use of pelvic binders in the emergent management of potential pelvic trauma
Injury2012,43:667-9
Ghaemmaghami V,Sperry J.Friese R,et al .effects of early use of external pelvic compression on transfusion
requirements and mortality in pelvic fractures.American Journal of surgery 2007:204:935-9.
30. Sources Of Bleeding
• Arteries,veins,cancellous bone
• Retroperitoneal haematoma - up to 4 liters mostly from venous
plexus and cancellous fractured bone
• Damage control resuscitation is to keep the patient hypotensive
and prevent (coagulopathy,acidosis and hypothermia)
• Permissive resuscitation is to keep SBP at 90 mmhg and thus
preventing excessive exsanguination and at the same time
organs are perfused
• Several questions need to be answered since there is no
evidence supporting this strategy
31. Resuscitation
• Packed RBCS,FFP and platelets
• The optimal ratio of these components is still under research
• Supporting the fibrinolytic system is achieved by giving
tranexamic acid
• Military application of TXA in trauma emergency,Archives
Of Surgery 2012:147:113-9
33. Clinical Tips
• Presence of blood in the urethra
• Bleeding per vagina
• Edema of the labia
• Leak of urine from the rectum
34. Management
Stable vs Unstable patient
Stable pt:
Conservative Tx (bed rest slow wt bearing)
Tile: A1, A2, A3 (coccyx #’s only)
Young: APC – I, LC – I, some LC – II
Unstable pt:
Tile B & C / Young APC & VS = high energy injuries
Require surgical management
Timing & methods for stabilization controversial
35. Management: Unstable Patient
ABC’s, resuscitation
Evaluate for site(s) of blood loss
FAST, CT
Laparotomy if indicated
Options for patients not requiring laparotomy:
Sheet around pelvis.
External fixator.
Early ORIF
Angiographic embolization
Early antibiotics for open # (cefazolin & gent)
36. The Risk of Bleeding
• Metz et al demonstrated that APC are associated with posterior
bleeding and LC with anterior bleeding.
• ISS and the associated injuries and not the fracture type have been
found to represent a better mortality predictor
• the extravasation of iv contrast and the size of pelvic haematoma
have been correlated to bleeding and the need for angiography
• Associated Injuries and Not Fracture Instability Predict Mortality
in Pelvic Fractures: A Prospective Study of 100 Patients
• Lunsjo, Karl MD, PhD; Tadros, Ayman FRCS; Hauggaard, Anders
MD; Blomgren, Rolf MD; Kopke, John MD; Abu-Zidan, Fikri M.
MD, FRCS, PhD,-Journal of TraumaVol62(3)March 2007-pages
687-691.
37. Imaging
• Plain pelvis and chest radiographs ,FAST, selective CT(ATLS)
• Total body CT with split-dose IV contrast
• The effects of this approach comported to the conventional ATLS protocol
has not been established
• Several studies have shown that time spent in CT is not a prohibiting factor
in patient management in modern trauma centers and have emphasized the
efficiency of total body CT
• Wumbte,Quaisser C,Balling et al.(Whole-body CT- improves trauma care in
patients requiring surgery after multiple trauma )Emergency Medicine
Journal: 2009:66:648-57.
38. Pelvic Ring Injuries
An unstable pelvic injury may
allow hemorrhage to collect in
the true pelvis as there is no
longer a constraint which
allows tamponade.
The volume was traditionally
assume to be a cylinder with a
volume of 4/3π r3,
However…
Best estimated by a hemi-elliptical sphere
(Stover et al, J Trauma, 2006)
39. Defining Pelvic Stability?
• RadiographicRadiographic
• HemodynamicHemodynamic
• MechanicalMechanical
“Able to withstand normal physiological
forces without abnormal deformation”
40. Radiographic Signs of Instability
•Sacroiliac displacement of 5 mm in anySacroiliac displacement of 5 mm in any
planeplane
•Posterior fracture gap (rather thanPosterior fracture gap (rather than
impaction)impaction)
•Avulsion of fifth lumbar transverseAvulsion of fifth lumbar transverse
process, lateral border of sacrumprocess, lateral border of sacrum
(sacrotuberous ligament), or ischial spine(sacrotuberous ligament), or ischial spine
(sacrospinous ligament)(sacrospinous ligament)
41. Stable or Unstable?
• Single examinerSingle examiner
• Use fluoro if availableUse fluoro if available
• Best in experienced handsBest in experienced hands
42. •External fixator device to the iliac crest easy to apply, but there is
a risk of infection
•Pelvic c-clamp on the posterior ilium in the SIJ creates a
tamponade effect (?Iliac fractures)
•Injuries to the superior gluteal neuromuscular bundle
•Internal fixation superior but time consuming (extremis)
•Direct surgical control theoretically easy - uncontrolled
circumferential stitching and clip application with inadequate
visualization may lead to iatrogenic nerve injuries
•Pelvic angiography and embolization
43. Shock VS Hemodynamic
Instability
• Definitions ConfusingDefinitions Confusing
• Potentially based on multiple factors & measuresPotentially based on multiple factors & measures
• LactateLactate
• Base DeficitBase Deficit
• SBP < 90 mmHgSBP < 90 mmHg
• Ongoing drop in HematocritOngoing drop in Hematocrit
• Response to fluid challengeResponse to fluid challenge
50. Indications for External Fixation
• ResuscitativeResuscitative (hemorrhage control,(hemorrhage control,
stability)stability)
• To decrease pain inTo decrease pain in
polytraumatized patients?polytraumatized patients?
• As an adjunct to ORIFAs an adjunct to ORIF
• Definitive treatment (Rare!)Definitive treatment (Rare!)
• Distraction frameDistraction frame
• CanCan’t ORIF the pelvis’t ORIF the pelvis
Theoretical and a marginal
indication, but there is
literature support
Barei, D. P.; Shafer, B. L.; Beingessner, D. M.;
Gardner, M. J.; Nork, S. E.; and Routt, M. L.:
The impact of open reduction internal fixation
on acute pain management in unstable pelvic
ring injuries. J Trauma, 68(4): 949-53, 2010.
54. Anti-shock Clamp (C-clamp)
Better posterior pelvis
stabilization
Allows abdominal access
Consider application with fluoro
or in the OR to prevent poor pin
placement
Can be combined with pelvic
packing
61. C-clamp: Anatomical Landmarks
• Same (similar location) as the starting pointSame (similar location) as the starting point
for an iliosacral screwfor an iliosacral screw
• ““Groove” located on the lateral ilium as theGroove” located on the lateral ilium as the
wing becomes the posterior pelviswing becomes the posterior pelvis
• Allows for maximum compressionAllows for maximum compression
• Can be identified without fluoro inCan be identified without fluoro in
experiencedexperienced handshands
Pohlemann et al, JOT, 2004
Pin Location
Near IS screw entry point
63. Control Of Bleeding
•The use of a sacroiliac screw has been reported by Gardner
as having a resuscitation role (the anti-shock iliosacral
screw-Journal Of Orthopaedic Trauma 2010-24:e86-9)
•The best means to control haemorrhage after skeletal
stabilization is a subject of a vivid debate!!!!!
•According to Gullinane DC, and co-workers in their
systemic review (Journal Of Trauma 2011:71:1850-68)
arterial embolization should be strongly recommended:
64. Role of Angio
•Valuable for arterial onlyValuable for arterial only
•Estimated at 5-15%Estimated at 5-15%
•Timing (early vs late?)Timing (early vs late?)
•Institution dependentInstitution dependent
65. Role of Angiography???
• Fracture pattern may predictFracture pattern may predict
effectivenesseffectiveness
• Contrast CT suggestsContrast CT suggests
• Effective in retrospectiveEffective in retrospective
studies!!!studies!!!
66. Complications of AE
Gluteal claudication
Pelvic Necrosis
Renal failure
Although effective in controlling bleeding (arterial)but
published series didn’t show decrease in necessity for blood
product resuscitation
Clay C Burley 2011 American College of Surgeons
67. Preperitoneal Pelvic Packing
In Europe (PPP/EF),
2011,Clay C Burlew et al (75 out of 1,245) concluded
that this method eliminates the question of OR and IR.
Concurrent operations can be done fixed
Less than 15% require angio-embolization
AE should be complementary procedure for life
threatening haemorrhage control following PPP/EF
69. Pelvic Packing
• Ertel, W et al, JOT, 2001Ertel, W et al, JOT, 2001
• Pohlemann et al, Giannoudis et al,Pohlemann et al, Giannoudis et al,
70. Summary
• Play well with others (general surgery, urology, interventionalPlay well with others (general surgery, urology, interventional
radiology, neurosurgery)radiology, neurosurgery)
• Understand the fracture patternUnderstand the fracture pattern
• Do something (sheet, binder, ex fix, c-clamp) call OR/IR .Do something (sheet, binder, ex fix, c-clamp) call OR/IR .
• Combine knowledge of the fracture, the patients condition, and theCombine knowledge of the fracture, the patients condition, and the
physical exam to decide next stepsphysical exam to decide next steps