Medium- and long-term results of open reduction and internal fixation for unstable pelvic ring fractures

Over a 10-year period, 74 patients with unstable pelvic injuries were treat ed with open reduction and internal fixation. Radiographic and clinical fol low-up averaged 71 months (range: 38-141 months). Satisfactory (ie, good an d very good) radiographic results were obtained in 90% of patients. Clinica l results were superior in patients without associated injuries (P=.05-.001 ). Most of the, complications in this series were due to associated injurie s. Sepsis was mostly due to open pelvic injuries and malunion to either lac k of patient cooperation or inadequate open reduction and internal fixation . Careful preoperative analysis of the nature of the pelvic injury and sele ction of the appropriate operative technique for open reduction and interna l fixation result in a satisfactory outcome for the majority of operative p atients.