Open pelvic fractures

Open pelvic fractures account for 2-4% of all pelvic fracture and are life-threatening injuries that provide a challenge to any trauma team. Patients who survive an open pelvic fracture are often left with longstanding or permanent disabilities which can be challenging to any healthcare system. They result from a high-energy injury and are reported to have a mortality of between 10 and 25%. Complications arise from the various structures that are injured, including genitourinary, bowel, sexual and reproductive complications. Open pelvic fractures are one of the most devastating injuries to occur. They require early aggressive management with a multidisciplinary team including experts in the field of orthopaedics, general surgery, urology, plastic surgery and intensive care. The main priority should be to initially treat haemorrhage and prevent infection.