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Case Reports
. 2015 Dec 16:2015:bcr2015212690.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2015-212690.

Definitive use of external fixation for pelvic ring injuries (open book/APC2) in pregnancy

V Stohlner  1 , J R Gill  2 , C G Murphy  3 , A D Carrothers  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Definitive use of external fixation for pelvic ring injuries (open book/APC2) in pregnancy

V Stohlner et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Pelvic fractures in pregnancy are rare, resulting in a paucity of evidence-based management. We describe a case of open book pelvic injury in a 32-year-old woman in her third trimester of pregnancy. She was successfully managed with a supra-acetabular external fixator, which allowed the safe delivery of a healthy baby boy at 34 weeks, via caesarean section. The external fixator was removed postpartum, when the pelvis was deemed stable, and mother and baby both continue to do well. This is the only case in the literature that demonstrates the successful use of external fixation for pelvic injuries in pregnancy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Regional trauma centre X-ray of open book anteroposterior type 2 (APC2) closed injury.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Trauma CT imaging with contrast. (A) Three-dimensional reconstructed imaging.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Imaging of supra-acetabular external fixator intraoperatively.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Post removal of external fixator. (A) Pelvis at rest and (B) stress view.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Anteroposterior pelvic X-ray from clinic, at 4 weeks.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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