Binder use and early pelvic radiographs in the management of unstable patients with blunt trauma

As per the guidelines in the 10th edition of Advanced Trauma Life Support, any patient with blunt trauma who has hemodynamic instability, pelvic instability or pelvic pain should undergo plain pelvic radiography. This is consistent with many Canadian prehospital guidelines for binder application by emergency medical services, as well as guidelines for pelvic trauma from the Western Trauma Association and the World Society of Emergency Surgery. A pelvic binder is a core component of the protocol for shock and pelvis fractures at the University of Alberta. Thus, patients with blunt trauma presenting to emergency departments in Canada with a pelvic binder in situ have an indication for plain pelvic radiography. Here, Menon examines the importance of plain radiographs in the diagnosis of traumatic pelvic fractures.