According to the J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. (2024), the incidence of pelvic ring injuries is 34.3 per 100,000 with trauma being the most obvious causation. Women account for approximately 69.7% of these injuries, 23% of which occur in women of childbearing age. In this specific patient population, concern is raised about one's future reproductive capability and method of delivery. The normal bony pelvic movements that occur during vaginal delivery are crucial for accommodating the passage of the fetus through the birth canal; this allows for the normal cardinal phases of labor to occur. These movements involve the widening and shifting of various pelvic joints and bones, primarily influenced by hormonal changes and the mechanical forces exerted by the baby. So, it is reasonable to ask if a patient with pelvic fractures and fixation can safely allow a trial of labor. Is a history of pelvic fractures with surgical fixation an indication for primary cesarean section? If it’s not, in what scenario would a primary c-section be best after a pelvic fracture? Listen in for details.

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2.Birth Outcomes Following Pelvic Ring Injury: A Retrospective Study. Hsu CC, Lai CY, Chueh HY, et al. BJOG : An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2023;130(11):1395-1402. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.17487.

3.Pregnancy and Delivery After Pelvic Fracture in Fertile-Aged Women: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Finland. Vaajala M, Kuitunen I, Nyrhi L, et al. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology. 2022;270:126-132. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.01.008.

4.Pregnancy Outcomes After Pelvic Ring Injury.Vallier HA, Cureton BA, Schubeck D. Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 2012;26(5):302-7. doi:10.1097/BOT.0b013e31822428c5.

5.Caesarean Section Rates Following Pelvic Fracture: A Systematic Review. Riehl JT. Injury. 2014;45(10):1516-21. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2014.03.018.

6.Unstable Pelvic Fractures in Women: Implications on Obstetric Outcome. Davidson A, Giannoudis VP, Kotsarinis G, et al. International Orthopaedics. 2024;48(1):235-241. doi:10.1007/s00264-023-05979-4.

7.Management of Pelvic Injuries in Pregnancy.Amorosa LF, Amorosa JH, Wellman DS, Lorich DG, Helfet DL. The Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 2013;44(3):301-15, viii. doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2013.03.005

8.Effect of Trauma and Pelvic Fracture on Female Genitourinary, Sexual, and Reproductive Function.Copeland CE, Bosse MJ, McCarthy ML, et al. Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. 1997 Feb-Mar;11(2):73-81. doi:10.1097/00005131-199702000-00001.

9. The Rate of Elective Cesarean Section After Pelvic or Hip Fracture Remains High Even After the Long-Term Follow-Up: A Nationwide Register-Based Study in Finland. Vaajala M, Kuitunen I, Liukkonen R, et al.European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology. 2022;277:77-83. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.08.

10. Bajerová M, Hruban L. Movements of the pelvic bones of expectant mothers during vaginal delivery. Ceska Gynekol. 2024;89(4):335-342. English. doi: 10.48095/cccg2024335. PMID: 39242210.

11. Lewis AJ, Barker EP, Griswold BG, Blair JA, Davis JM. Pelvic Ring Fracture Management and Subsequent Pregnancy: A Summary of Current Literature. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2024 Feb 6;8(2):e23.00203. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-23-00203. PMID: 38323930; PMCID: PMC10849384.

12. Childbirth after Pelvic Fractures: Debunking the Myths: https://ota.org/sites/files/legacy_abstracts/ota09/otapa/OTA090132.htm

13. Davidson A, Giannoudis VP, Kotsarinis G, Santolini E, Tingerides C, Koneru A, Kanakaris NK, Giannoudis PV. Unstable pelvic fractures in women: implications on obstetric outcome. Int Orthop. 2024 Jan;48(1):235-241. doi: 10.1007/s00264-023-05979-4. Epub 2023 Sep 15. PMID: 37710070