Chinese expert consensus on echelons treatment of pelvic fractures in modern war

• Main Authors: Zhao-wen Zong, Si-xu Chen, Hao Qin, Hua-ping Liang, Lei Yang, Yu-feng Zhao, Representing the Youth Committee on Traumatology branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the PLA Professional Committee and Youth Committee on Disaster Medicine, the Traumatology branch of the China Medical Rescue Association. and the Disaster Medicine branch of the Chongqing Association of Integrative Medicine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2018-06-01
• Series: Military Medical Research
• Subjects: Pelvic fractures; Combat injuries; Classification and treatment; Expert consensus
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40779-018-0168-3

Abstract The characteristics and treatment of pelvic fractures vary between general conditions and modern war. An expert consensus has been reached based on pelvic injury epidemiology and the concepts of battlefield treatment combined with the existing levels of military medical care in modern warfare. According to this consensus, first aid, emergency treatment and early treatment of pelvic fractures are introduced in three separate levels. In Level I facilities, simple triage and rapid treatment following the principles of advanced trauma life support are recommended to evaluate combat casualties during the first-aid stage. Re-evaluation, further immobilization and fixation, and hemostasis are recommended at Level II facilities. At Level III facilities, the main components of damage control surgery are recommended, including comprehensive hemostasis, a proper resuscitation strategy, the treatment of concurrent visceral and blood vessel damage, and battlefield intensive care. The grading standard for evidence evaluation and recommendation was used to reach this expert consensus.