[Abdominal injuries accompanying pelvic fractures]

Abstract

During the years of 1969 to 1982, 361 patients with blunt abdominal trauma were treated at the General Surgical Hospital of the University of Giessen. 46 out of these patients (12,7%) had also a fracture of the pelvis. The mortality was high with 43,5% (20 patients), however, all these patients had multiple injuries. In most cases hemorrhagic complications were responsible for death. Peritoneal lavage is an important diagnostic measure. In case of injuries to inner organs, generally several organs are concerned. Therapeutic methods should be time-sparing because of the great risks involved in these injuries. Retroperitoneal hemorrhages allow only seldom a vessel reconstruction. Angiographic localization with subsequent vessel embolization should be tried.