Syed Amir Jalil, Syed Sajid Hussain, Khan Shah Azam.
Experience of pelvic and acetabular fracture fixation during earth quake disaster in Pakistan.
J Pak Orthop Assoc Jan ;22(2):139-42.

Objective:To study the outcome of early pelvic and acetabular fixation in earthquake victims. Study Design: Descriptive Cross sectional Study. Material and Method: This study was conducted in the TO clinic, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi from 8th October 2005 to April 2006. Earthquake a natural disaster always causes mass destruction. On 8th October 2005 Pakistan faced one of the worst earthquake in the history. Number of peoples lost there lives, buildings vanished and all the communication system collapsed. Medical camps established to deal injured people but due to lack of facilities they can only provide first aid treatment. The biggest challenge was from orthopedic point of view to treat patients with pelvic fracture , fracture dislocation of hip joints and acetabular fracture. These surgeries requires proper operation theater , clean environment, logistic support and above all trained and experience surgeons in particular field. Results :25 patients air lifted from affected area to TO Hospital Karachi. Out those patients, 15 patients were of pelvic fractures , acetabular fractures and fracture dislocation of hip. The mean age of these patients was 32 years. Only one patient was treated conservatively on traction because of extensive soft tissue injury in gluteal region. All the acetabular fractures reconstructed with recon plates and pelvic fractures fixed posteriorly with transilac bars. Patients allowed to sit in bed within 48 hours and mobilized non weight bearing on 3rd postoperative day on crutches. Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation is the ideal way to treat pelvic and acetabular fracture in order to prevent malunion, shortening, pelvic tilt and complications related to immobilisation.

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