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Etiology and Outcome of Open Fractures of the Extremities: A Single Center, Retrospective Study of 287 Patients

Vidmi Taolam Martin and Bo Yu

Objectives

To retrospectively evaluate the incidence, mechanism of injury and outcome of all consecutive open fractures of the extremities in patients treated in Ndjamena (Chad) at Hôpital de l’Amitié Tchad-Chine, a single medical center between August 1, 2013, to August 31, 2014.

Materials and methods

In 1 year interval, 287 patients (198 males and 89 females) with open fractures were admitted in this trauma center. A retrospective analysis was conducted on data obtained from the medical records, including patient’s age, sex, mechanism of injury, types of fractures, grades of fractures, surgical interventions and complications.

Results

Among 302 patients admitted with fractures of the extremities during 1year of the study period, 287 patients had open fractures with an incidence rate of 95.03%. Road traffic accidents were the commonest injuries with 50.52%, followed by interpersonal violence 14.98%, construction site 12.54%, falls from height 11.50% and sports injury 10.45%. Upper limb injuries were 39.38% and Lower limb 60.62%. Surgical debridement, plaster mobilization, external and internal fixation were used in the management of those patients. Only 1 patient was amputated.

Conclusion

As lower limb was the most injured part, an early surgical debridement with frequent use of external fixators devices can definitely minimize the rate of complications in such patients. Road safety awareness should be instilled in order to reduce the rate of mortality and morbidity.