I’ve heard that people with major pelvic trauma may need to have surgery right away. Why is that?

Surgery can stabilize the fractured pelvis. Failing to operate quickly may prevent the area from healing properly. It may also make patients more prone to blood clots in their blood vessels.

A recent study found that patients who developed blood clots after pelvic trauma had about a ten-day delay between their injury and surgery. Meanwhile, patients who had surgery within five days of injury were less likely to develop blood clots.

Blood clots are a very serious condition. They can even be fatal. Operating sooner seems to be one means of prevention. Other treatment, such as using mechanical devices to keep good blood flow, may lower the chances a clot will form.