Factors Associated With Infection in Patients With Combined Pelvic Ring and Bladder Injuries.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the infection rate in patients with combined pelvic ring and bladder injuries. Secondary aims included identifying treatment and injury factors associated with infection.

DESIGN

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Single Level I Tertiary Academic Center.

PATIENTS SELECTION CRITERIA

All patients over a 12-year period with combined pelvic ring and bladder injuries were evaluated. Exclusion criteria were nonoperative management of the pelvic ring, isolated posterior fixation, and follow-up <90 days.

OUTCOME MEASURE AND COMPARISONS

Primary outcome measured was deep infection of the anterior pelvis requiring surgical irrigation and debridement.

RESULTS

In total, 106 patients with anterior stabilization of the pelvis in the setting of a bladder injury were included. Seven patients (6.6%) developed a deep infection and required surgical debridement within 90 days. Patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation with plating of the anterior pelvis and acute concomitant bladder repair had an infection rate of 2.2% (1/43). Patients undergoing closed reduction and anterior fixation with either external fixation or percutaneous rami screw after bladder repair had an infection rate of 17.6% (3/17). There was a higher infection rate among patients with combined intraperitoneal (IP) and extraperitoneal (EP) bladder injuries (23%) when compared with those with isolated EP (3.8%) or IP (9.1%) bladder injuries (P = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute open reduction and internal fixation of the anterior pelvis in patients with combined pelvic ring and bladder injuries has a low infection rate. Patients with combined IP and EP bladder injuries are at increased risk of infection compared with those with isolated IP and EP injuries.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.