Evaluation tools and outcomes after osteosynthesis of unstable type B and C pelvic ring injuries.

The evaluation of present long-term studies on results after surgical stabilization of the pelvic ring is difficult, as different treatment concepts are used and the majority of these studies are not comparable regarding selected evaluation parameters. Additionally, no standardized measurement instrument exists to analyze the clinical and radiological result after pelvic ring injuries. Only short-term evaluations with a mandatorily recommended minimum follow-up time of one year are available. Medium-term analyses or real long-term analyses are missing. Present data show an increase of long-term sequelae from stable type A injuries to completely unstable type C injuries. Concomitant injuries of other injury regions around the body as well as additional injuries to the pelvic region (complex pelvic trauma) seem to influence the overall results. Therefore, in the future it is necessary to develop a sufficient pelvic outcome instrument which addresses these parameters. Additionally, results of treatment of specific fracture types depend on the chosen stabilization method. Overall, as single centres have only "limited" experience in treating pelvic ring injuries within a short period of time, and there is a wide range of completely different injury types and different treatment concepts, for future evaluation of long-term results after pelvic ring injuries prospective, multicenter outcome studies are recommended.