Bleeding Control in Type-C Pelvic Ring Fractures Using the Pelvic C-clamp vs. the Pelvic Binder for Emergency Stabilization - a Matched Pair Analysis From the German Pelvic Registry

Severe bleeding is the major cause of death in unstable pelvic ring fractures. Therefore, a quick and efficient emergency stabilization and bleeding control is inevitable. The pelvic C-clamp and the pelvic binder are efficient tools for temporary bleeding control, especially for the posterior pelvic ring. However, whether these disadvantages make up for a more efficient bleeding control, still needs to be discussed in the guidelines of the emergency management of pelvic ring fractures.

Patients with a type-C pelvic ring fracture were identified from the German Pelvic Registry (GPR). The patients were divided into three groups of 40 patients: 1. group without emergency stabilization, 2. group treated with pelvic binder and 3. group treated with pelvic C-clamp. The patients were matched according to the following parameters: age, gender, initial RR and HB level. The complication rates and mortality rates were compared between the groups, especially regarding bleeding control, as measured by the amount of transfused blood products. Furthermore, the subjective efficacy of the treatment was assessed. Finally, the time until established bleeding control was compared.