Haemodynamically unstable pelvic trauma

Overview

The care of patients with major pelvic trauma is focussed on the identification of both mechanical and physiological instability and directing management towards the stabilisation of both. Different classification systems exist for pelvic injury, some on anatomical patterns and others based on mechanism of injury and need for operative management.

Overall, the clinical care is targeted towards the haemodynamic status, the anatomical impairment of pelvic ring function and the associated injuries. This often requires a multidisciplinary approach to manage the resuscitation, control the bleeding and stabilise the bony injury.

Description

This resource kit provides healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills to manage a patient with an open book pelvic injury who is haemodynamically unstable following a traumatic incident.

Learning objectives

• Perform a focussed clinical examination to assess a patient with a major pelvic injury.
• Identify types of pelvic injury that are associated with vascular injury and bleeding.
• Perform bedside interventions to aid haemorrhage management.
• Demonstrate early targeted management (may include retrieval services).

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Further reading