EXTERNAL FIXATION FOR PELVIC RING DISRUPTIONS

The application of external fixation for acute treatment of unstable p elvic fractures can be a lifesaving procedure; however, it must be coo rdinated with other efforts of the trauma team. The patient with a pel vic fracture must be adequately resuscitated and carefully evaluated. This evaluation includes a careful physical examination and radiograph ic studies, which include plain films and computerized tomography. A p roper evaluation enables classification of the pelvic injury and appro priate selection of patients that require acute pelvic external fixati on. In this article, both open and percutaneous techniques for pin pla cement and fixator frame configurations are discussed.