Does the accuracy of prehospital pelvic binder placement affect cardiovascular physiological parameters during rescue? A clinical study in patients with pelvic ring injuries

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic binders (PB) have become an established first–line treatment for on scene use in suspected pelvic ring injuries. A sustained incidence of incorrect placements was reported, usually above the trochanteric region. We examined if malplacement is associated with worse clinical parameters related to resuscitation. METHODS: Retrospective chart review, level 1 center over a 3–year period. Inclusion criteria: adult patients (18–69y/o), high–energy injury, presence of a pelvic binder on admission — patients without binders served as controls. Exclusions: geriatric patients (>70y/o), ground level falls. Malplacement of the binder was assessed and graded (grade 1:<5 cm above trochanter, grade 2:5–10 cm, grade 3 > 10 cm) from the initial computed tomography scan (3D reconstruction). RESULTS: Seventy–six patients were included. Males (72%), mean age 47years (range 18–91, SD 19.4). Mean Injury Severity Score was 22.3 points (range 1 –48, SD 10.4) and mean Glasgow Coma Score on arrival was 10.8 points (range 3–15, SD 5.3). Fifty-three percent presented with a pelvic ring injury (74% of them with a type B or C fracture). Mean PB distance from the trochanteric region was 56 mm (range 41–247 mm, SD 54.5). Fifty percent of PBs were moderately displaced, 21% showed severe misplacement (>100 mm). Physiological parameters were unchanged regardless of the accuracy of PB placement. CONCLUSION: Incorrect placement of pelvic binders persists despite widespread implementation of the device. In our series, displacement was always cranially and had no effect on preclinical fluids received or parameters of resuscitation on arrival. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III