Improvement of outcomes in patients with pelvic fractures and hemodynamic instability after the establishment of a Korean regional trauma center

Purpose: Despite using a multidisciplinary treatment approach, the mortality rate of patients with hemodynamic instability from severe pelvic fractures is still 40–60%. We evaluated the improvement of outcomes in this patient population after the establishment of a regional trauma center in Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 50 patients with hemodynamic instability due to pelvic fractures between March 2011 and November 2016. Patients were divided into two groups: the pre-trauma center (PTC) group (n = 23) and trauma center (TC) group (n = 27). Results: Sixteen (32.0%) patients died of exsanguination. Patients in the TC group had shorter trauma resuscitation room stay (101 vs 273 min, p < 0.001) and underwent preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) more frequently (88.9 vs 8.7%, p < 0.001) than those in the PTC group. During the TC period, emergent procedures such as PPP and pelvic angiography were performed more frequently (92.6 vs 39.1%, p < 0.001). Although there was no statistical difference in the overall mortality rate between groups, patients in the TC group had less mortality due to hemorrhage (18.5 vs 47.8%, p = 0.027). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that initial systolic blood pressure and establishment of trauma center were independent protective factors of mortality from hemorrhage [odds ratio (OR) 0.957, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.926–0.988, p = 0.007; OR 0.134, 95% CI 0.028–0.633, p = 0.011]. Conclusions: Since the regional trauma center was established, emergent procedures such as pelvic angiography and PPP were performed more frequently, and mortality due to exsanguination was significantly decreased.