Purpose

We aimed to report our early experience treating paediatric pelvic fractures (PPF) surgically, reporting on indications, outcomes, and complications.

Methods

Patients aged 0–15 with PPF treated surgically at a level I trauma centre were included prospectively between 2016 and 2018. Fractures were classified according to AO/OTA classification system. Functional evaluation was performed using a modification of the Majeed functional scoring system. Radiological evaluation of vertical and posterior displacement was performed according to Matta and Tornetta criteria and the method described by Keshishyan et al. for assessing pelvic rotational asymmetry.

Results

We included 45 patients (77.8% males and 22.2% females), with a mean age of 9.53 ± 3.63 and 19.87 ± 8.84 months of mean follow-up. The functional outcome was excellent in 42 (93.3%) patients, good in two (4.4%), and fair in one (2.2%). Radiologically, the vertical displacement improved from 5.91 ± 4.64 to 3.72 ± 2.87 mm (p-value 0.065), the posterior displacement improved from 7.87 ± 8.18 to 5.33 ± 13.4 mm (p-value 0.031), and the symphyseal diastasis improved from 9.88 ± 7.51 mm to 7.68 ± 3.18 mm (p-value 0.071). Residual pelvic asymmetry improved from 1.2 ± 0.61 to 0.8 ± 0.7 (p-value 0.001). Complications occurred in 21 (46.7%) patients, 11 (24.4%) pin tract infection, six (13.3%) limb length discrepancy, two (4.4%) prominent metals, one (2.2%) subcutaneous haematoma, one (2.2%) infected ISS.

Conclusions

We achieved acceptable functional and radiological outcomes after surgically treating a group of patients with PPF, which was relatively safe with minimal complications. The proper approach and fracture fixation tool should be tailored according to the fracture classification and the presence of associated injuries.