Immediate stabilization of unstable pelvic fractures versus delayed stabilization.

To compare the immediate and long term outcome of immediate stabilization of the unstable pelvic fractures to delayed stabilization with simple external fixation, the study was carried out as a paralell trial with 2 year follow-up. There were 112 patients with 69 males and 43 females who had unstable pelvic fractures. They were allocated randomly into 2 groups. In group 1, 40 patients, conventional management was performed while in group 2, 72 patients, reduction and anterior stabilization of pelvic fractures with a simple external fixator were carried out immediately just after the unstable fractures were detected. Blood transfusion, post operative pain, need of reconstructive surgery of the pelvic fractures and late deformities were less in the group 2. Immediate anterior reduction and stabilization of the unstable pelvic fractures gave encouraging results.