Abstract
Background
Pelvic fractures, often the result of high energy blunt trauma, are associated with
severe morbidity and mortality. A new pelvic stabilizer (T-POD®) provides secure and effective simultaneous circumferential compression of the pelvis.
Methods
In this study we describe 15 patients with a prehospital untreated unstable pelvic
fracture with signs of hypovolaemic shock with the T-POD®. Before and 2 min after applying the T-POD®, heart rate and blood pressure were measured. An X-ray before and directly after
applying the T-POD® was made to measure the effect on reduction in symphyseal diastasis.
Results
Application of the T-POD® reduced the symphyseal diastasis with 60% (p = 0.01). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased significant from 65.3 to 81.2 mm Hg (p = 0.03) and the heart rate declined from 107 beats per minute to 94 (p = 0.02). Out of ten patients in whom the circulatory response before and after the T-POD® was recorded, seven were good responders, one had a transient response and two responded
poor.
Conclusion
In the acute setting, the T-POD® device has a clear compressive effect on the pelvic volume in unstable pelvic fractures.
The T-POD® is therefore an effective and easy to use device in (temporarily) stabilizing the
pelvic ring in haemodynamically unstable patients.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 9,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
