Fracture of pelvis - Young and Burgess classification of pelvic fractures
The Young-Burgess classification system divides pelvic fracture by the direction of the force involved into three basic types - anteroposterior compression (APC), lateral compression (LC), and vertical shear (VC). First two types have three subgroups with increasing degree of severity of the injury
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Anterioposterior compression (APC) | |
| APC I | diastasis of symphysis <2.5cm |
| APC II | diastasis of symphysis >2.5cm, diastasis in the anterior part of the SI joint, while posterior SI ligaments are intact |
| APC III | diastasis of symphysis >2.5cm, disruption of both anterior and posterior SI ligaments with dislocation in SI joint |
| Lateral compression (LC) | |
| LC I | oblique fracture of pubic rami and anterior compression fracture of sacral ala on ipsilateral side |
| LC II | fracture of pubic rami and posterior fracture of ipsilateral iliac bone with dislocation |
| LC III | ipsilateral lateral compression (LC) and contralateral anterioposterior compression (APC) |
| Vertical shear (VS) | |
| VS | fracture by superior and posterior force |
References:
1. Kellam JF, Mayo K. Pelvic ring disruptions. In: Browner BD, Jupiter JB, Levine AM, et al., eds. Skeletal Trauma, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders, 2003:1052–1062..
2. Manson T, O’Toole RV, Whitney A, Duggan B, Sciadini M, Nascone J. Young-Burgess classification of pelvic ring fractures: does it predict mortality, transfusion requirements, and non-orthopaedic injuries? J Orthop Trauma. 2010 Oct;24(10):603–9
3. Young JWR, Burgess AR. Radiologic Management of Pelvic Ring Fractures. Baltimore, Munich, Urban & Schwarzenberg, 1987.