Treatment of Pregnant Patients With Orthopaedic Trauma

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2017

Abstract

Fracture management in pregnant patients is challenging. Anatomic and physiologic changes in pregnancy increase the complexity of treatment. Maternal trauma increases the risk of fetal loss, preterm birth, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, and maternal death. Initial resuscitation and treatment in a facility equipped to handle the orthopaedic injury and preterm births are paramount. Pelvic and acetabular injuries are potentially life threatening. The benefits and risks of surgical treatment must be carefully considered. The risks posed by anesthetic agents, antibiotic agents, anticoagulant agents, and radiation exposure must be understood. Positioning of the patient can affect the viability of the fetus. If surgery is necessary, the left lateral decubitus position decreases fetal hypotension. A specialized team including an obstetrician, perinatologist, orthopaedic surgeon, general trauma surgeon, critical care specialist, emergency medicine specialist, anesthesiologist, radiologist, and nurse must collaborate to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Publication Title

The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Volume

25

Issue

5

First Page

e90

Last Page

e101

PubMed ID

28379911

Comments

This article was published in The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Volume 25, Issue 5, Pages e90-e101.

The published version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00289.

Copyright © 2017.

This document is currently not available here.

COinS