@article{GilbertSchneemannScholzetal.2018, author = {Gilbert, F. and Schneemann, C. and Scholz, C. J. and Kickuth, R. and Meffert, R. H. and Wildenauer, R. and Lorenz, U. and Kellersmann, R. and Busch, A.}, title = {Clinical implications of fracture-associated vascular damage in extremity and pelvic trauma}, series = {BMC Muscuskeletal Disorders}, volume = {19}, journal = {BMC Muscuskeletal Disorders}, number = {404}, doi = {10.1186/s12891-018-2333-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-176252}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Background: Vascular damage in polytrauma patients is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Therefore, specific clinical implications of vascular damage with fractures in major trauma patients are reassessed. Methods: This comprehensive nine-year retrospective single center cohort study analyzed demography, laboratory, treatment and outcome data from 3689 patients, 64 patients with fracture-associated vascular injuries were identified and were compared to a control group. Results: Vascular damage occurred in 7\% of patients with upper and lower limb and pelvic fractures admitted to the trauma room. Overall survival was 80\% in pelvic fracture and 97\% in extremity fracture patients and comparable to non-vascular trauma patients. Additional arterial damage required substantial fluid administration and was visible as significantly anemia and disturbed coagulation tests upon admission. Open procedures were done in over 80\% of peripheral extremity vascular damage. Endovascular procedures were predominant (87\%) in pelvic injury. Conclusion: Vascular damage is associated with high mortality rates especially in combination with pelvic fractures. Initial anemia, disturbed coagulation tests and the need for extensive pre-clinical fluid substitution were observed in the cohort with vascular damage. Therefore, fast diagnosis and early interventional and surgical procedures are necessary to optimize patient-specific outcome.}, language = {en} }