BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The Morel-Lavallée lesion occurs from a compression and 
shear force that usually separates the skin and subcutaneous tissue from the 
underlying muscular fascia. A dead space is created that becomes filled with 
blood, liquefied fat, and lymphatic fluid from the shearing of vasculature and 
lymphatics. If not treated appropriately, these lesions can become infected, 
cause tissue necrosis, or form chronic seromas.
PURPOSE: To review appropriate identification and treatment of Morel-Lavallée 
lesions in spinopelvic dissociation patients.
STUDY DESIGN: Uncontrolled case series.
METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records. No funding was received in 
support of this study. The authors report no conflicts of interest.
RESULTS: We present four cases of patients with traumatic spinopelvic 
dissociation. All had concomitant lumbosacral Morel-Lavallée lesions. All four 
trauma patients suffered traumatic spinopelvic dissociation with concomitant 
lumbosacral Morel-Lavallée lesions. Appropriate treatment included irrigation 
and debridement, drainage, antibiotics, and vacuum-assisted wound closure.
CONCLUSIONS: Our series reflects an association of Morel-Lavallée lesion in 
spinopelvic dissociation trauma patients. Possibly, the rotatory injury that 
occurs at the spinopelvic junction creates a shear force to form the 
Morel-Lavallée lesion. When presented with a spinopelvic dissociation patient, 
one should be prepared to treat a Morel-Lavallée lesion.