Abstract
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.
Highlights
Open limb fractures are frequent and severe
The aim of this study was to identify the epidemiologic aspects of open limb fractures in order to improve prevention and care
Patients of 15 years old and older who presented open limb fractures were included in the study
Summary
Open limb fractures are frequent and severe Very often they result from high velocity traffic accidents. They are mainly due to the increase of high-velocity traffic accidents. The open fractures of the extremities are very frequent, remain a real challenge for the surgeons and cause a significant morbidity [1] They are caused for more the share of time by the accidents of interstate at the time of the high-energy traumas. Apart from the fracture, the skin lesions muscles, vascular nervous and sinewy are frequently associated making complex the treatment [3] This treatment must be codified well starting on the place of the accident and integrating a multidisciplinary team [5], namely: the emergency medical treatment which is generally put at contribution in the first hours, the physical therapy and of readjustment which deals with the physical therapy in order to limit the squealers, the general medicine which ensures the long-term follow-up and the occupational medicine because most of the road accidents are commuting accidents (residence-work). We had conducted this study in order to release the epidemiological profile, to adapt the treatment of these injuries and to formulate suggestions for an accident prevention
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