Jiménez-Jiménez et al. (2026)
Palabras claves: fracturas de pelvis; hemorragia; choque hemorrágico; embolización
terapéutica; packing preperitoneal; REBOA; control de daños.
Abstract
Introduction: Unstable pelvic ring fractures associated with hemorrhagic shock constitute a time-
critical emergency. Mortality is linked not only to the anatomical severity of the injury but also to
the speed with which mechanical and hemostatic control is achieved. Controversies persist
regarding the optimal sequence of preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP), angioembolization (AE),
and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA). Objective: To synthesize
the evidence available up to April 30, 2026, regarding initial management and hemorrhage control
strategies in adults with unstable pelvic fractures and hemodynamic instability, prioritizing studies
with retrievable full text. Methods: A systematic review guided by PRISMA 2020. Reproducible
search strategies were designed for PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, SciELO, and Scopus,
using terms related to pelvic fracture, hemodynamic instability, hemorrhage, pelvic binder,
preperitoneal packing, angioembolization, and REBOA. Primary studies involving adults,
published between 2000 and April 30, 2026, with retrievable full text and clinical outcomes
regarding hemorrhage control, were included. Due to the heterogeneity of populations, definitions,
and therapeutic sequences, as well as the overlap of national cohorts, a structured narrative
synthesis was performed instead of a *de novo* meta-analysis. Results: Fifteen primary studies
were included. Circumferential pelvic stabilization is an immediate measure that can be
implemented quickly, although recent studies show frequent placement errors. PPP provides
rapid control of predominantly venous/osseous bleeding and is consistently associated with
reduced transfusion requirements; between 9% and 31% of patients in some series required
secondary AE. AE is the definitive treatment for arterial bleeding, and contemporary studies
emphasize that its benefit depends on rapid access. Adjusted comparisons between PPP and AE
do not show uniform causal superiority; The choice is strongly conditioned by the severity and the
context. REBOA can transiently raise central pressure, but the evidence remains observational,
inconsistent, and subject to confounding by indication; it should be considered a rescue bridge
rather than a definitive therapy. Conclusions: Evidence supports a physiological and resource-
dependent algorithm: damage-control resuscitation, a correctly placed binder, rapid exclusion of
other sources of hemorrhage, and prompt access to the most readily available definitive
treatment. In centers with immediate endovascular capabilities, arterial embolization (AE) is
appropriate when arterial bleeding is suspected; in cases of profound shock, the need for
laparotomy, or delays in endovascular intervention, pelvic packing (PPP) combined with
mechanical stabilization offers rapid control and can be supplemented by AE. There is no high-
certainty evidence to justify a "one-size-fits-all" strategy for all patients.
Keywords: pelvic fractures; hemorrhage; hemorrhagic shock; therapeutic embolization;
preperitoneal packing; REBOA; damage control.
extremidades. La prioridad durante
1. Introducción
los primeros minutos no es la
clasificación ortopédica definitiva,
sino identificar al paciente con
hemorragia no controlada, reducir el
La fractura traumática del anillo
pélvico es una lesión potencialmente
letal cuando se acompaña de
inestabilidad
hemodinámica.
El
volumen
pélvico
cuando
sangrado puede proceder del plexo
venoso presacro, superficies óseas
fracturadas, ramas de la arteria ilíaca
interna o de lesiones asociadas
corresponda y conducirlo con la
menor demora posible hacia un
procedimiento hemostático efectivo
[
1-4].
abdominales,
torácicas
o
de
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