Fractures of limbs specific to children: the experience of a Senegalese tertiary hospital

Abstract

IntroductionFractures specific to the pediatric age group represent a particular injury due to their pattern, diagnosis, management, and outcomes. In sub-Saharan Africa, studies on this particular injury are scarce. This study reports sociodemographic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects and outcomes of these fractures.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive cross sectional study at the pediatric surgery department of Aristide Le Dantec University Teaching Hospital in Dakar, Senegal, from January 2012 to December 2015.ResultsA fracture specific to children was diagnosed in 180, of whom 47.7% were school-aged, with 59.4% of males. The mean time from injury to the attendance of our department was 48.2 h. Domestic accidents occurred in 51.1%. A total of 243 fractures occurred, mainly on the upper limbs (75.3%), as the most affected bones were the radius (47.3%), ulna (22.6%), and tibia (13.6%). Greenstick fractures represented 46.9%, buckle fractures, 42.8%, plastic deformations 9%, and subperiosteal fractures 0.7%. In all patients, management was orthopedic, with associated analgesic treatment. No sequel nor other complication was registered.ConclusionFractures proper to the child are a particular entity in children’s trauma, frequently happening in boys, with greenstick and buckle fractures being the most common. Their treatment is exclusively orthopedic, with excellent outcomes.