This 2007 narrative review by Holden et al. covers the evaluation, classification, and management of pelvic fractures in the pediatric population, addressing how skeletal immaturity — particularly open triradiate cartilage — shapes fracture patterns, operative thresholds, and long-term complications in ways that differ fundamentally from adult pelvic trauma.
When a child presents with a pelvic fracture after high-energy trauma, use the Torode and Zieg type and two key thresholds to drive decisions: any acetabular or triradiate cartilage displacement >2 mm requires ORIF, and any pelvic ring displacement >2 cm requires reduction and stabilization.
In young children (<10 years) with triradiate cartilage involvement, counsel families about the risk of acetabular dysplasia and commit to long-term follow-up.
This 2007 narrative review by Holden et al. covers the evaluation, classification, and management of pelvic fractures in the pediatric population, addressing how skeletal immaturity — particularly open triradiate cartilage — shapes fracture patterns, operative thresholds, and long-term complications in ways that differ fundamentally from adult pelvic trauma.
When a child presents with a pelvic fracture after high-energy trauma, use the Torode and Zieg type and two key thresholds to drive decisions: any acetabular or triradiate cartilage displacement >2 mm requires ORIF, and any pelvic ring displacement >2 cm requires reduction and stabilization.
In young children (<10 years) with triradiate cartilage involvement, counsel families about the risk of acetabular dysplasia and commit to long-term follow-up.