External fixation in the treatment of pelvic fractures.

External fixation with MONO-Tube was used 68 times for the treatment of unstable pelvic fractures. The device was efficient in stabilizing the fracture and controlling the shock. It can be used as far final treatment in type LC1, APC1, APC2 and partly APC3 fractures, what supports an earlier observation by Young-Burgess. Other fractures usually need to be operated and the external fixation should only be treated as an initial procedure before surgery.