Management of close VS open pelvic fracture

  • Give antibiotics as soon as possible if an open pelvic fracture is suspected
  • Consider tetanus vaccine or immunoglobulin if a wound is prone to contamination
  • An open pelvic fracture carries a much higher mortality rate and complication rate
  • Examination for blood in vagina/urethral meatus/rectum are of utmost importance to rule out presence of an open pelvic fracture

Useful short guide on The Management of patients with Pelvic Fractures by the British Orthopaedic Association Audit Standards for Trauma (BOAST) here.

Learning bite

Presence of any vagina/urethral/rectal injury with a pelvic fracture signifies an open pelvic fracture.