Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40183933›Full record

ArticleEuropean journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie2025

Assessing the utility of routine postoperative radiographs in pelvic and acetabular trauma Surgery.

Alexander Berk, Logan Good, Harkirat Jawanda, Samuel Florentino, Spencer Albertson, Robert Clark, Marsalis Brown, Grant Nelson, Robert Wetzel

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Clinical impact of early postoperative routine radiology in isolated pelvic injuries: a retrospective study.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Alexander BerkDepartment of Orthopedics, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, USA. alexander.berk2@uhhospitals.org.
Logan GoodDepartment of Orthopedics, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, USA.
Harkirat JawandaDepartment of Orthopedics, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, USA.
Samuel FlorentinoDepartment of Orthopedics, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, USA.
Spencer AlbertsonDepartment of Orthopedics, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, USA.
Robert ClarkSection of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, USA.
Marsalis BrownDepartment of Orthopedics, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, USA.
Grant NelsonUniversity of Colorado - Steadman Hawkins Clinic of Denver, Denver, USA.
Robert WetzelDepartment of Orthopedics, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeEarly postoperative x-rays are frequently ordered after fracture fixation surgery without clear indication. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of early formal x-rays compared to intraoperative fluoroscopy in patients undergoing surgical fixation of pelvic and acetabular fractures.

methodsAdult patients undergoing surgical fixation of pelvic and acetabular fractures at a Level 1 Trauma Center were identified. Early postoperative x-rays were defined as x-rays ordered within 48 h of surgery without clear indication. Two blinded orthopedic surgeons assessed x-rays and fluoroscopic imaging for reduction quality (within 2 mm of anatomic) and accuracy of implant placement. Accuracy of implant placement was categorized as safe, suspicious, or definite implant malposition.

resultsPatients received early postoperative x-rays in 117 cases (53.9%) and fluoroscopy only in 100 cases (46.1%). Among patients undergoing postoperative x-ray, 100% of reductions deemed to have imperfect reduction quality were also deemed to be imperfect on intraoperative fluoroscopy. Similarly, 100% of implants deemed to be of inconclusive safety on postoperative x-ray were also deemed inconclusive on intraoperative fluoroscopy. Considering all patients, 4/117 (3.4%) in the postoperative x-ray group experienced an unplanned change of care within 1 week of surgery vs. 1/100 (1.0%) in the fluoroscopy only group (p = 0.38).

conclusionThe acquisition of early postoperative x-rays and implant placement accuracy are not reliable predictors of change in care among patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures. Early postoperative x-rays may be unnecessary and should only be ordered with clear clinical indications to improve cost-effectiveness and reduce radiation exposure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective cohort study; III.

Indexed as

AcetabulumFracture Fixation, InternalFractures, BonePelvic BonesPostoperative CareAcute Care SurgeryAdultAgedFemaleFluoroscopyHumansMaleMiddle AgedRadiographyRetrospective StudiesYoung AdultAcetabular fractureAcetabular injuryCost-effectivenessPelvic fracturePelvic injuryUtilityX-ray

Identifiers

PMID40183933

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.