Pelvic fractures in hemodynamically stable and unstable patients treated with EVR external fixator

twenty two male patients with closed lesions, who presented with pelvic ring fractures and were admitted to “san jacinto” ward of “luis vernaza” hospital from january 1996 to august, 1997 were studied. five of them were admitted in shock condition, having their systolic pressure under 90 mm, and were treated with volume resuscitation protocol along with the treatment of their associated lesions. the assessment of pelvic fractures revealed that 13,6 % were stable fractures, 9 % were rotationally unstable and 77 % were rotationally and vertically unstable fractures. four patients with unstable fractures required laparotomy. the information obtained suggested that aggressive volume resuscitation, treatment of extrapelvic lesions together with percutaneous stabilization of posterior sacroiliac complex in the first place, followed by the application of an external fixator to reduce and stabilize the anterior complex of the pelvic ring resulted in a low mortality rate.