The Radiological and Functional Outcomes of Pelvic Fractures Treated by External Fixator

Abstract

Objective: To determine the radiological and functional outcomes of pelvic fracture’s patients treated by external fixator. Methods: A case series was done at orthopaedics unit of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center in Karachi from January to July 2013. All patients with either gender age range from 20 to 50 years pelvic fracture of type A2 or B of less than 1 week duration were enrolled in this study. Patients were given spinal anaesthesia and the A.O external fixator was applied. Patients were followed for 3 months for final outcome. To assess the radiological outcome X-Rays pelvis AP view was done and for functional outcome was assessed in terms of severity of pain using Visual Analogue Score. The presence of acceptable radiological and functional outcome was taken as a satisfactory outcome as per operational definition. Results: Mean age of the patients was 36.39±7.89 years, duration of symptoms 3.58±1.01 days, weight 67.70±7.67Kg, Height 1.56±0.058-meter, average BMI 23.36±4.05 Kg/m2. There were 65 (67%) males and 32(33%) females. Acceptable radiological outcome was found in 89 (91.80%) patients while acceptable functional outcome was found in 76 (78.40%) patients. A satisfactory outcome was found in 73(75.30%) patients. Conclusion: Radiological and functional outcome in patients with pelvic fractures treated by external fixator was found to be acceptable in most of the patients. Keywords: Pelvic Fracture, satisfactory outcome, radiological and functional outcomes, external fixator