Place of preperitoneal pelvic packing in severe pelvic traumatisms: About 20 cases performed in a French military level one trauma center

BackgroundThe overall mortality of hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures is high. Hemorrhage triggers off the Moore lethal triad. Hemostatic management during the golden hour is essential. Combined with pelvic stabilisation, preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) is proposed to control venous and bony bleeding, while arterioembolisation can stop arterial bleeding. No international consensus has yet prioritized these procedures. The aim of this study was to analyse a serie of PPP in a military level one trauma center and propose an algorithm for hemodynamically unstable pelvic traumas regardless of the military facility. MethodFrom January 2010 to December 2020, every patient from our military institution with a hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture underwent PPP combined with pelvic stabilisation. Before 2012 data were retrospectively collected from database (PMSI), after 2012 data were prospectively recorded in our polytrauma database and retrospectively analysed. The care algorithm applied focused on hemodynamic status of polytraumatised patients on admission. Primary criteria were early hemorrhage-induced mortality (<24h) and overall mortality (<30d). Secondary criteria were systolic blood pressure (SBP) and red blood cells (RBC) units administered. Results20 patients with a pelvic fracture had a PPP. Mean age was 49,65 +/-23,97 years and median ISS was 49 (31; 67). The decrease of blood transfusion and increase of SBP between pre- and postoperative values were statistically significant. Eight patients (40%) had postoperative arterial pelvic blush and 7 patients were embolised. The early mortality by refractory hemorrhagic shock was 25% (5/20). Overall mortality at 30 days was 50% (10/20). ConclusionPPP is a quick, easy, efficient and safe procedure. It can control venous, bony and sometimes arterial bleeding. PPP is part of damage control surgery and we propose it in first line. Angio-embolization remains complementary. Besides, PPP is the only means available in precarious conditions of practice, notably in military forward units.