Burgess AR, Eastridge BJ, Young JW, et al. The Journal of trauma 1990 · PMID 2381002
- Question
- Does classifying pelvic ring injuries by mechanism of injury predict associated injuries, transfusion needs and mortality, and help guide early treatment?
- Design
- Single-centre series of consecutive patients at a US statewide adult trauma referral centre, applying a mechanism-based classification with linked treatment protocols.
- Patients
- Patients with pelvic ring disruptions admitted to a major trauma centre.
- Intervention
- Mechanism-based classification (lateral compression, anteroposterior compression, vertical shear, combined) with protocolised resuscitation and early stabilisation
- Comparison
- Outcomes compared across classification groups
- Primary outcome
- Fluid and blood requirement, associated injuries and mortality
- Key result
- Transfusion requirement and mortality varied by injury pattern, with anteroposterior compression and combined injuries carrying the highest blood loss and mortality; the authors concluded the classification-based protocols reduced pelvic-related morbidity and mortality.
- Limitations
- Uncontrolled single-centre series with incomplete records; the classification is radiograph-based with only moderate inter-observer reliability.
- Impact on practice
- The Young-Burgess (LC, APC, VS, CM) classification remains the standard language for describing pelvic ring injuries in the resuscitation phase and in exams.