@article{ref1,
title="The use of external fixators in the definitive stabilisation of the pelvis in polytrauma patients: safety, efficacy and clinical outcomes",
journal="Injury",
year="2017",
author="Tosounidis, Theodoros H. and Sheikh, Hassaan Qaiser and Kanakaris, Nikolaos K. and Giannoudis, Peter V.",
volume="48",
number="6",
pages="1139-1146",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To analyse the complications and outcomes (functional/radiographic) of Pelvic External Fixators applied as part of the definitive fixation in polytrauma patients. <br><br>DESIGN: A single center retrospective chart review. SETTING: A level-1 trauma center. <br><br>PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed all the polytrauma patients (ISS>16) between 2007 and 2012 that had a PEF applied more than 30days. Complications including infection, aseptic loosening, neurological injury, loss of reduction, non-union and mal-union were recorded. Pelvic asymmetry and Deformity Index (DI) were measured at the immediate postoperative radiographs and final follow-up. The functional outcome at final follow up was estimated using a scale previously reported by Chiou et al. <br><br>RESULTS: 59 patients with mean age of 38.4 (16 - 81) years and mean ISS score 28 (16- 66) were included. The PEFs were applied for mean duration of 56 (30-104) days. The average follow-up was 403days. 22 injuries were type B and 37 type C (AO/OTA). The most common symptomatic complications were pin site infection in 11 (18.6%) and loosening in 5 (8.5%) cases. 44 (74.5%) patients had satisfactory functional outcome. The immediate post-operative and final asymmetry and DI were compared between the two pelvic injury groups (type B and C fractures). The difference in displacement progression was more for type C injuries (p=0.034) but no correlation to the functional outcome was evident. <br><br>CONCLUSION: PEF can be used as definitive alternative stabilization method in specific situations at polytrauma setting. Radiological displacement occurred in both type B and C injuries but the clinical outcome was not correlated to this displacement. Complications related to PEF do not affect the final clinical outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.<br><br>Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0020-1383",
doi="10.1016/j.injury.2017.03.033",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2017.03.033"
}