Blunt trauma pelvic fracture-associated genitourinary and concomitant lower gastrointestinal injury: incidence, morbidity, and mortality.

PURPOSE

Limited data exist on the characteristics, risk factors, and management of blunt trauma pelvic fractures causing genitourinary (GU) and lower gastrointestinal (GI) injury. We sought to determine these parameters and elucidate independent risk factors.

METHODS

The National Trauma Data Bank for years 2010-2014 was queried for pelvic fractures by ICD-9-CM codes. Exclusion criteria included age ≤ 17 years, penetrating injury, or incomplete records. Patients were divided into three cohorts: pelvic fracture, pelvic fracture with GU injury, and pelvic fracture with GU and GI injury. Between-group comparisons were made using stratified analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent risk factors for concomitant GI injury.

RESULTS

In total, 180,931 pelvic fractures were found, 3.3% had GU, and 0.15% had GU and GI injury. Most common mechanism was vehicular collision. Injury severity score, pelvic AIS, and mortality were higher with combined injury (p < 0.001), leading to longer hospital and ICU stays and ventilator days (p < 0.001) with more frequent discharges to acute rehabilitation (p < 0.01). Surgical management of concomitant injuries involved both urinary (62%) and rectal repairs (81%) or diversions (29% and 46%, respectively). Male gender (OR = 2.42), disruption of the pelvic circle (OR = 6.04), pubis fracture (OR = 2.07), innominate fracture (OR = 1.84), and SBP < 90 mmgh (OR = 1.59) were the strongest independent predictors of combined injury (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Pelvic fractures with lower GU and GI injury represent < 1% of pelvic fractures. They are associated with more severe injuries and increased hospital resource utilization. Strongest independent predictors are disruption of the pelvic circle, male gender, innominate fracture, and SBP < 90mm Hg.