The pattern of trauma in private general medical practice set-up Port Harcourt

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Private general medical practice establishments appear to be treating a significant number of trauma cases including more serious ones. Aim: To find out the extent of such treatment of trauma and what has made this possible. METHODS: All trauma cases treated in a private general medical practice set up in Port Harcourt between January 1,2000 to December, 31 2002 were studied. The records were analysed with respect to age, sex, type of trauma and treatment given. Also analysed were complications, hospital stay and outcome of treatment. RESULT: Forty-two trauma related cases were treated. The commonest age affected was between the 2nd and 4th decades with a peak in the 4th decade. The male/female ratio was 3.2:1. Lacerations constituted the commonest injury followed by fractures of long bones. Assault and road traffic accidents were the commonest causes of the injuries and males were more commonly involved. The majority of patients (59.5%) were treated and discharged the same day. For those who were admitted, the mean hospital stay was 16.9 days. The more severe and complicated trauma were handled by locum specialist surgeons. The commonest complication encountered was wound infection. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: A wide variety of trauma cases is now treated at the private general practitioner level. The management of the more complicated trauma is due to the services of specialist doctors. KEY WORDS: Pattern of trauma, private general practice, Port Harcourt Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol.3(1) 2004: 16-19