Pelvis and Acetabular Fractures: Managing the Complications

Description

This presentation by Michael Archdeacon, presumably part of a medical conference, discusses complications related to pelvic and acetabular surgery. He begins by acknowledging the intimidating nature of following esteemed colleagues and humorously notes the focus on his mistakes rather than successes. Archdeacon shares insights drawn from his extensive experience as a consultant and researcher while also disclosing his financial ties with Stryker, a medical technology company.



A case study is presented involving a 61-year-old woman who suffered from an isolated injury due to a scooter accident which resulted in pelvic fractures. Initially managed non-operatively, her condition worsened with significant pain and mobility issues by the third and a half month. Archdeacon illustrates the importance of early intervention and discusses surgical options such as using cannulated retrograde ramus screws, emphasizing techniques like the Sidewinder technique for effective fracture management.



He proceeds to illustrate how post-operative management and surgical interventions can lead to improved patient outcomes, highlighting a patient who, despite initial complications with hardware, ended up returning to her active lifestyle of golf and jogging. The discussion transitions to prevention strategies for typical complications such as skin slough from pelvic binders, asserting the importance of proper application techniques.



Archdeacon concludes by emphasizing the notion that treatment should prioritize patient function over radiographic appearance, as exemplified by the outcomes of elderly patients who often recover without surgical intervention despite concerning imaging results. He invites further discussion on mistakes and complications from the audience, reiterating his commitment to sharing knowledge from his mistakes in managing pelvic and acetabular injuries.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-250977

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