Long-term outcomes of conservatively treated paediatric pelvic fractures

Injury. 2004 Aug;35(8):771-81. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2003.09.037.

Abstract

The long-term orthopaedic, urologic, and psychiatric outcomes of patients treated non-operatively for unstable pelvic fractures were assessed. There were 55 males and 3 females with an average age of 7 (3-13). Eighty-one percent of the fractures were caused by motor vehicle accidents, and 68% by auto-pedestrian accidents. Thirty-four of the 58 fractures were type Tile type B and 24 were type C. Posterior urethral injury was determined in 41 patients, and head injury in 21. Three patients with type C injury died within the first 3 days. After an average follow-up period of 7.4 years of the patients with type B injuries, leg length discrepancy of 1cm was determined in two, and limited motion associated with open-knee wound in one, and low back pain in two. Of the patients with type C injuries, low back pain was found in four, gait abnormality in three, sacroiliac ankylosis in one, and symphyseal ossification in two. Urethral stricture was determined in 11 patients, urinary incontinence in 6 and erectile dysfunction in 6. A total of 31 patients were diagnosed with 41 psychiatric illnesses, including dysthymic disorder, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depression. No difference was found in the treatment outcomes of the two groups. From a holistic standpoint, long hospital stays and urologic complications are associated with serious psychological problems, and thus should be considered during selection of treatment modality.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Femoral Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Femoral Fractures / etiology
  • Fractures, Bone / psychology
  • Fractures, Bone / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Injury Severity Score
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / etiology
  • Pelvic Bones / injuries*
  • Physical Examination
  • Radiography
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Tract / injuries