Background: Pelvic fractures are uncommon injuries in paediatric trauma patients because of specific anatomical features. Due to the low incidence there is no standardized therapeutic algorithm.
Material and methods: This retrospective review evaluates paediatric pelvic fractures of a Level I Trauma Centre over 5 years. In addition, we compared the data with adult pelvic fractures and reviewed the literature. A total of 37 pelvic fractures (≤16 years) were documented, with an incidence of 9.9% in the child with multiple injuries. The most common injury mechanisms were traffic accidents, followed by falls from heights.
Results: Type A injuries occurred in 50% (type B: 16%, type C: 27%, acetabular injuries: 11%). Osteosynthesis was performed in nine cases. Therapeutic intervention was necessary in three cases of haemodynamically relevant bleeding; 97% of all children had associated injuries (mean ISS: 38).
Conclusion: Our data showed some differences to the literature. Pelvic fractures are predictors for high injury severity. Despite similar fracture pattern, in contrast to adults most injuries could be treated non-operatively. In unstable or dislocated fractures open reduction and stabilization must be performed.