Citation

Van der Werken C, van Tets WF. Acta Orthop. Belg. 1992; 58(3): 336-338.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Acta Medica Belgica)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1441972

Abstract

A 34-year-old female fell 7 meters onto her lower back and side, and sustained a nondislocated fracture of the 7th thoracic vertebra, a complex pelvic fracture with symphysiolysis and a left acetabular fracture in combination with a bilateral comminuted sacral fracture and downward intrusion of the lumbosacral spine. There was also a cauda equina-syndrome. Laparotomy with exploration of the lumbosacral area was terminated early because of hemorrhage. Later internal fixation of the fractures was performed by an anterior approach with complete reduction of the bilateral sacral fracture and the lumbosacral spine intrusion. We conclude that an anterior approach to this area gives good visualization, but is hazardous owing to the close proximity of the fractures to the central vessels and retroperitoneal muscles. A posterior approach gives less good visualization but may cause less hemorrhage.

Language: en

Keywords

Acetabulum; Adult; Cauda Equina; Female; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Nerve Compression Syndromes; Pelvic Bones; Radiography; Spinal Fractures; Spinal Injuries; Suicide, Attempted