Amit Gupta, Andrew Cook, Lee Van Rensburg

Determine if pelvic binders are being used appropriately in the pre hospital setting

All trauma series radiographs and computed axial tomography (CT) scans January 2007 to December 2009

Reviewed by: Specialist Registrar (2nd Year) Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon

Following data points collected Presence and type of pelvic injury– classified per

AO guidelines Presence of a pelvic binder and if applicable, its

position Whether the pelvic binder was appropriate for the

injury or potential to cause harm

Krieg JC, Mohr M, Ellis TJ, Simpson TS, Madey SM, Bottlang M: Emergent stabilization of pelvic ring injuries by controlled circumferential compression: A clinical trial. J Trauma 2005;59:659-664

76 cases

33Pelvic injury No binder

16Pelvic injury

Binder

27No Pelvic injury

Binder

A-14 B-32

C-3

Correct position level of greater trochanter 43 cases binder applied

irrespective of indication

Correct position36

Incorrect position7

3 Appropriate

5 caseswould have significantly benefited from a binder

6 of 43 cases a binder was applied had potential for injury

Pelvic binders applied in the pre hospital phasePlaced in the correct position 36/43 (84%)Clinical examination on scene poorly discriminates on injuries needing a binder

Binder applied 43 times 27 (63%) No pelvic injury 16 (37%) Pelvic injury BUT only needed in 3 (7%) 6 (14%) Potential for harm