The Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism in Trauma Patients with Pelvic or Acetabular Fracture

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in trauma patients with pelvic or acetabular fracture and determine high risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients who had a pelvic or acetabular fracture were enrolled between March 2011 and February 2012. All patients had mechanical and chemical prophylaxis and underwent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) computed tomography around 2 weeks after injury for evaluation of VTE. The relationships between VTE and each of sex, age, body mass index, injury severity score, intensive care unit stay, transfusion, operation time, coagulopathy, and associated injury were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 8 patients developed VTE (34.8%), of which 5 had DVT, 2 had pulmonary embolism (PE), and one had both DVT and PE. The group with a VTE risk score of 14 or more had a significantly higher incidence of VTE. CONCLUSION: Careful attention is needed in management of patients with pelvic or acetabular fracture.