Uncontrolled haemorrhage in pelvic fracturesd---Can the inevitable be avoided?

Pelvic fractures carry a considerable risk for morbidity and mortality. Half or more of the early deaths in these patients have been attributed directly to haemorrhage. The transfusional requirements are four times higher for open pelvic fractures compared with a similar group of closed pelvic fractures. The loss of the tamponade effect by disruption of the pelvic soft tissues and the energy imparted play a central role in this potentially life threatening situation. We reported a case of open pelvic fracture in which persistent haemorrhage was stopped by giving recombinant activated coagulation factor VIIa as our last resort.

Effectiveness of MIS technique as a treatment modality for open intra-articular calcaneal fractures: A prospective evaluation with matched closed fractures treated by conventional technique.

Twenty-five displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures in 21 patients, aged 15-55 years were included in this study. Sanders' type I fractures, severe crushing or partial amputation, were excluded from the study. Patients were divided into group 1 (open fractures treated by MIS), and group 2 (closed fractures treated by ORIF). Group 1 had 16 and group 2 had 9 cases. Seven of 25 fractures (28%) developed wound related issues postoperatively. One patient (11.1%) in group 2 had wound margin necrosis, while 6 patients (37.5%) in group 1 developed pin tract and/or wound infection. At 1-year follow-up, the mean MFS for group 1 was 79 and mean MFS for group 2 was 84.4 (66.67% were good). The AOFAS score for group 1 was 77.37 and for group 2 was 86.1. The Bohlers' angle was restored in 81.16% cases in group 1 and 88.8% in group 2, while Gissane angle was restored in 68.75% of group 1 cases and 77.79% of group 2 cases. This study shows that acceptable fracture reduction can be obtained and maintained by MIS technique and it can be used as the primary definitive treatment option in open calcaneal fractures.