Orthopedics · Pelvic and Acetabular Trauma

A 32-year-old pedestrian struck by a vehicle sustains a pelvic ring injury. Radiograph shows widening of the symphysis pubis to 4 cm with disruption of the anterior sacroiliac ligaments but intact posterior sacroiliac complex. According to the Young-Burgess classification, this is:

  • A Anteroposterior compression Type II (APC-II)
  • B Lateral compression Type I (LC-I)
  • C Anteroposterior compression Type III (APC-III)
  • D Vertical shear
Correct answer: A. Anteroposterior compression Type II (APC-II)

Explanation

The Young-Burgess classification for pelvic ring injuries distinguishes APC types by ligamentous disruption: APC-I has pubic symphysis diastasis <2.5 cm (only anterior tension band disrupted); APC-II has symphysis widening ≥2.5 cm with disruption of anterior sacroiliac, sacrospinous, and sacrotuberous ligaments but with the posterior SI ligaments intact (partially unstable, 'open-book'); APC-III involves complete disruption of all SI ligaments with complete hemipelvis instability. Diastasis of 4 cm with intact posterior SI complex is consistent with APC-II.

Reference: Maheshwari Essential Orthopaedics, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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