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Fracture Management in the Pregnant Patient

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The Poly-Traumatized Patient with Fractures

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Abstract

Trauma in pregnancy is an uncommon but challenging problem. There are two patients involved, the mother and the foetus. The best management for the foetus is delivered through appropriate management of the mother. The alterations of the maternal anatomy and physiology must be taken into account. Signs of foetal distress may be the initial indication of maternal blood loss and compromise. Life-saving intervention and investigations should be carried out without compromise, but detailed knowledge of the cumulative dose received by the patient is essential for ongoing management decisions. There is little exposure of the foetus in limb radiographs.

Fractures should be treated much in the same way as in the non-pregnant patient. Use of minimally invasive techniques of fracture reduction and fixation or other techniques dependent on intraoperative imaging is not advocated in the pregnant patient. The management of the pregnant trauma patient requires the early involvement of the trauma surgeon, the obstetrician and the radiologist.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 34, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Erich Sorantin

  2. Paediatric Trauma Fellow, Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 34, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Nima Heidari

  3. Medical University of Graz, Harrachgasse 21/7, A-8010, Graz, Austria

    Karin Pichler

  4. Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 34, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Annelie-Martina Weinberg

Authors
  1. Erich Sorantin
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  2. Nima Heidari
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  3. Karin Pichler
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  4. Annelie-Martina Weinberg
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Annelie-Martina Weinberg .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen, 52057, Germany

    Hans-Christoph Pape

  2. Florida Orthopaedic Institute, N. Telecom Parkway 13020, Temple Terrace, 33637, Florida, USA

    Roy Sanders

  3. Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, University of Texas, Harry Hines Blvd. 5323, Dallas, 75390, Texas, USA

    Joseph Borrelli, Jr.

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Sorantin, E., Heidari, N., Pichler, K., Weinberg, AM. (2011). Fracture Management in the Pregnant Patient. In: Pape, HC., Sanders, R., Borrelli, Jr., J. (eds) The Poly-Traumatized Patient with Fractures. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-17986-0_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-17986-0_17

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