A total of 1566 patients with fractures of the pelvis were treated at the Department of Traumatology at the Hannover Medical School between 1972 and 1990. Of these, 1350 patients had fractures of the pelvic ring, 216 isolated acetabulum fractures, and 398 combinations of pelvic ring fractures and acetabular involvement. Of these patients, 718 were admitted with severe polytrauma. For 1254 patients complete files were available for clinical and radiological evaluation of fracture distribution, classification (Tile and anatomical location) and concomitant injuries. A significant increase in the severity of trauma, the severity of the pelvic fractures and the rate of internal stabilization, especially of the posterior pelvic ring, was observed during the observation period. The overall mortality after pelvic fracture was 18.1%. This mortality was correlated to the Hannover Polytrauma Score (PTS) and the associated extrapelvic blunt trauma. Internal fixation of pelvic fractures was performed in 195 patients. Our experience led to standardized procedures for the different fracture locations. In fractures type Tile B, an anterior procedure led in all cases to anatomic or near anatomic healing. In unstable pelvic ring fractures (Tile C), external fixation led to a significantly higher rate of posterior dislocations (over 1 cm) than did internal fixation. In these situations a combined posterior and anterior internal fixation procedure improved the result compared to posterior internal stabilizations alone. As a result, internal stabilization using a standardized technique for every fracture location is recommended for all unstable pelvic ring fractures.