• P M Mitchell, C M Corrigan, N A Patel, A J Silverberg, S E Greenberg, R V Thakore, W T Obremskey, J M Ehrenfeld, J M Evans, and M K Sethi.
• The Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute Center for Health Policy, Vanderbilt University, Suite 4200, South Tower, MCE, Nashville, TN, 37221, USA. Phillip.m.mitchell@vanderbitl.edu.
• Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2016 Feb 1; 42 (1): 91-6.

PurposeTo evaluate the complications associated with anterior pelvic external fixation and the success of this device in maintaining reduction when used in conjunction with sacroiliac screws.MethodsThrough a retrospective clinical study at an academic Level I Trauma Center, 129 patients fit the criteria for inclusion with a mean duration of anterior pelvic external fixation of 62 days and mean follow-up of 360 days. Charts were reviewed for complications postoperatively. The symphysis diastasis, vertical displacement and posterior displacement of each hemipelvis were quantified from pelvic radiographs.ResultsOf the 129 patients receiving anterior pelvic external fixation, 14 (10.9 %) presented to an emergency department for problems with their anterior pelvic external fixation. Of these 14 patients, 7 (5.4 %) required readmission, all for infectious concerns necessitating IV antibiotics. 6 (4.7 %) required formal operative debridement and device removal. 13 patients (10.1 %) had superficial pin site infections successfully treated with oral antibiotics. Reduction was maintained (rated as fair, good or excellent) in all patients with radiographic follow-up (n = 74, average radiographic follow-up of 216 days) following removal of their anterior pelvic external fixation. 38 patients (30.4 %) had their anterior pelvic external fixation removed in clinic, while 87 (69.6 %) had formal removal in the operating room.ConclusionWhile previous data suggest high complication rates in definitive anterior pelvic external fixation, we present the largest cohort of patients receiving anterior pelvic external fixation and sacroiliac screws, demonstrating a low complication rate while maintaining reduction of the pelvic ring. In addition, we found that these devices could be reliably removed in a clinic setting.

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