Introduction: Open limb fractures are
frequent and severe. Very often they result from high velocity traffic
accidents. The aim of this study was to identify the epidemiologic aspects of
open limb fractures in order to improve prevention and care. Material and
Methods: It was a retrospective study carried out in the Department of
Orthopaedic and traumatology Surgery of Afagnan hospital. It concerned the
files of patients admitted from January 1st to December 31st 2016. Patients of 15 years old and older who presented open limb fractures were
included in the study. The study variables were: age, sex, occupation, trauma aetiology,
injury mechanism, location and type of lesions. An X-ray (antero-posterior and
lateral view) of the injured limb segment was done in all patients. Results: On 87 patients, 148 cases of fractures were collected. The mean age was
38.08 years with extremes of 15 and 82. There were 23 women (26.4%) and 64 men
(73.6%). The most common etiology was traffic accidents (73.5%). Motorcycle accidents
(58.3%); accidents involving motorcycle and car (19.4%). Accidents at work
represented (16.1%). Lower limbs were more affected (77.1%). Open fractures
classified Gustillo-Anderson type III were predominant with type IIIa (51.0%),
IIIb (32.6%) and IIIc (16.3%). Conclusion: Open limb fractures are
severe. They are mainly due to the increase of high-velocity traffic accidents.
This explains the predominance of the young male population. Road safety and
all actors’ behaviour change are essential for the reduction of
traffic accident morbidity.
References
[1]
Yarrow, J., Rahman, S., Marsden, N., Pallister, I. and Hemington-Gorse, S. (2015) Management of Open Lower Limb Injuries in South West England and Wales. Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 97, 35-39. https://doi.org/10.1308/003588414X14055925058472
[2]
Clelland, S.J., Chauhan, P. and Mandari, F.N. (2016) The Epidemiology and Management of Tibia and Fibula Fractures at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Northern Tanzania. Pan African Medical Journal, 25, 10-12.
[3]
Konan, K.J., Assouan, K.T., Kouassi, F. and Ehua, S.F. (2006) Epidemiology of Traffic Road Injuries in Teaching University Hospital of Yopougon. International Medical Science Review, 8, 44-48.
[4]
Court-Brown, C.M., Bugler, K.E., Clement, N.D., Duckworth, A.D. and McQueen, M.M. (2012) The Epidemiology of Open Fractures in Adults: A 15-Year Review. Injury, 43, 891-897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2011.12.007
[5]
Nanchahal, J., Nayagam, S., Khan, U., et al. (2009) Standards for the Management of Open Fractures of the Lower Limb. BAPRAS, London.
[6]
Gopinathan, N.R., Santhanam, S.S., Saibaba, B. and Dhillon, M.S. (2017) Epidemiology of Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Trauma with Associated Vascular Injuries in a Tertiary Care Institute in India. Indian Journal of Orthopaedics, 51, 199-204.
[7]
Chalya, P.L., Mabula, J.B., Dass, R.M., Mbelenge, N., Ngayomela, I.H., Chandika, A.B. and Gilyoma, J.M. (2012) Injury Characteristics and Outcome of Road Traffic Crash Victims at Bugando Medical Centre in Northwestern Tanzania. Journal of Trauma Management and Outcomes, 6, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-2897-6-1
[8]
Twagirayezu, E., Teteli, R., Bonane, A. and Rugwizangoga, E. (2008) Road Traffic Injuries at Kigali University Central Teaching Hospital, Rwanda. East and Central African Journal of Surgery, 13, 73-76.
[9]
Chalya, P.L., Mabula, J.B., Ngayomela, I.H., Kanumba, E.S., Chandika, A.B., Giiti, G., Mawala, B. and Balamuka, D. (2010) Motorcycle Injuries as an Emerging Public Health Problem in Mwanza City Tanzania: A Call for Urgent Intervention. Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 12, 214-221. https://doi.org/10.4314/thrb.v12i4.55500
[10]
Frederico Carlos, J.N., Marina de Paula, C., Bernardo Aurelio, F.A., Pablício, M.F., Efferson, C.A. and Robson, A.S. (2016) Analysis of the Characteristics of Patients with Open Tibial Fractures of Gustilo and Anderson Type III. Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia (English Edition), 51, 143-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rboe.2016.01.002
[11]
Ali, A.M., McMaster, J.M., Noyes, D., Brent, A.J. and Cogswell, L.K. (2015) Experience of Managing Open Fractures of the Lower Limb at a Major Trauma Centre. Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 97, 287-290. https://doi.org/10.1308/003588415X14181254789367
