Age and "general health"-beside fracture classification-affect the therapeutic decision for geriatric pelvic ring fractures: a German pelvic injury register study.

PURPOSE: Pelvic ring fractures in the elderly gain increasing importance. Nonetheless, data on factors influencing treatment decision in relation to fracture classification, age, and the resulting treatment are still rare. METHODS: Prospectively collected data of the German Pelvic Injury Registry from patients aged over 65 years with a pelvic ring fracture were evaluated retrospectively. Acetabular fractures, as well as type A1 and A3 fractures, were excluded. The variables age, injury pattern, type of treatment, the reason for conservative treatment, and Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA)/Tile classification were analyzed. Furthermore, the fracture distribution was examined after dividing patients into six age groups. RESULTS: A total of 1814 patients with a mean age of 80.7 ± 7.6 years, predominantly female (79.0%), were available for evaluation. The majority of patients suffered from isolated pelvic ring fractures (70.1%) and 8.2% were severely injured (ISS > 16). The most common fracture types were type A2 (35.4%), type B2 (38.0%), and type C1 (7.3%). Especially pelvic ring fractures of type A2 (96.9%) and type B2 (83.0%) were treated conservatively (overall 76.9%). Fracture instability according to the OTA/Tile classification increased the probability for an operative treatment (generalized odds ratio [OR] 6.90 [5.62; 8.52]). In contrary, increasing age independent of the fracture pattern decreased this probability (OR 0.47 [0.41-0.53]). With increasing fracture instability, general health conditions were up to 50% of the reasons for conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study underline the importance of the factors age and general health besides fracture classification for therapeutic decision-making in the treatment of pelvic ring fractures in the elderly.

Survival trends and predictors of mortality in severe pelvic trauma: estimates from the German Pelvic Trauma Registry Initiative.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine longitudinal trends in mortality, and the contribution of specific injury characteristics and treatment modalities to the risk of a fatal outcome after severe and complex pelvic trauma. METHODS: We studied 5048 patients with pelvic ring fractures enrolled in the German Pelvic Trauma Registry Initiative between 1991 and 1993, 1998 and 2000, and 2004 and 2006. Complete datasets were available for 5014 cases, including 508 complex injuries, defined as unstable fractures with severe peri-pelvic soft tissue and organ laceration. Multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate the impact of demographic, injury- and treatment-associated variables on all-cause in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: All-cause in-hospital mortality declined from 8% (39/466) in 1991 to 5% (33/638) in 2006. Controlling for age, Injury Severity Score, pelvic vessel injury, the need for emergency laparotomy, and application of a pelvic clamp, the odds ratio (OR) per annum was 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-0.96). However, the risk of death did not decrease significantly in patients with complex injuries (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.93-1.03). Raw mortality associated with this type of injury was 18% (95% CI 9-32%) in 2006. CONCLUSION: In contrast to an overall decline in trauma mortality, complex pelvic ring injuries remain associated with a significant risk of death. Awareness of this potentially life-threatening condition should be increased amongst trauma care professionals, and early management protocols need to be implemented to improve the survival prognosis.

Retrograde cement removal in periprosthetic fractures following hip arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Revision of cemented hip arthroplasty after periprosthetic fractures of the femur is a demanding procedure. Many different technical devices have been developed for this purpose. This paper presents a new surgical technique of cement removal avoiding excessive exposure of the fracture site. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In six patients with periprosthetic fractures of the femur following hip arthroplasty (Johansson Type II and III) cement removal was performed by means of advancing a retrograde nail through the intercondylar notch of the knee. RESULTS: In all cases the cement was removed completely. Intraoperative complications or significant knee problems were not observed. CONCLUSION: The intracondylar approach provides a simple, rapid and less invasive technique for cement removal in revision hip arthroplasty.