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OrthoVellum

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Trauma
intermediate
X-Type

Pelvic External Fixator

Pelvic Ring Trauma

A 45-year-old motorcyclist presents hemodynamically unstable after a high-speed collision. His systolic blood pressure is 70mmHg despite 2L of crystalloid and 2 units of packed red cells. A pelvic binder is in place. AP pelvis radiograph shows an open book injury with 8cm pubic symphysis diastasis. He is responding to blood products but remains unstable. The decision is made to apply an anterior pelvic external fixator as part of damage control resuscitation. Regarding pelvic external fixation:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Pelvic external fixation is indicated for hemodynamic instability with mechanically unstable pelvic ...

B

Pin placement options include iliac crest (supra-acetabular approach risks LFCN injury), anterior in...

C

External fixation is contraindicated in hemodynamically unstable patients; it works best for posteri...

D

Limitations include inability to stabilize posterior ring injuries (may need C-clamp or posterior fi...

E

The external fixator is usually temporary and converted to definitive internal fixation once the pat...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option