Medium- and long-term results of open reduction and internal fixation for unstable pelvic ring fractures.

Over a 10-year period, 74 patients with unstable pelvic injuries were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Radiographic and clinical follow-up averaged 71 months (range: 38-141 months). Satisfactory (ie, good and very good) radiographic results were obtained in 90% of patients. Clinical results were superior in patients without associated injuries (P=.05-.001). Most of the complications in this series were due to associated injuries. Sepsis was mostly due to open pelvic injuries and malunion to either lack of patient cooperation or inadequate open reduction and internal fixation. Careful preoperative analysis of the nature of the pelvic injury and selection of the appropriate operative technique for open reduction and internal fixation result in a satisfactory outcome for the majority of operative patients.