Open Pelvic Fracture With Vaginal Laceration and Arterial Injury in a Pediatric Patient

Abstract not available. Introduction provided instead.

Open pelvic fractures occur in up to 3% to 5% of all adult pelvic fractures.^1,2 The incidence is even lower in pediatric pelvic fractures. Open pelvic fractures in children are reported as small series or isolated case reports. Open pelvic fractures are known to be associated with many other severe injuries.^1-7 Pelvic fractures in pediatric patients differ significantly from those in adults.^3,8 The ability of the pediatric pelvis to deform plastically—a result of the elasticity of the pediatric bone and the presence of more cartilaginous structures—leads to its absorbing significantly more energy before breaking. Therefore, presence of a pelvic fracture in a pediatric trauma patient should heighten suspicion for other significant injuries.

This is the first known English-literature report of an open pelvic fracture sustained with vaginal laceration and internal iliac artery injury.