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Pelvic fractures management in a teaching hospital in Nigeria
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Significant external forces are required to fracture a normal pelvis. The forces usually result from rapid deceleration or crushing injuries. Associated injuries are common as the energy is delivered to multiple anatomical sites.
AIMS/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to highlight the pattern of presentation of pelvic injuries, causes, types of the pelvic fracture and outcome of the treatment of these injuries in a teaching hospital in a developing country.
SETTING: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
DESIGN: A seven-year retrospective study was done from January 1995 to December 2001.
RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at presentation was 35.0+14.8 (SD) with 42 males and 11 females. The mean injury severity score was 20.1. Motor vehicular accident remains the most common cause of pelvic fractures in 37(69.8%) patients, fall from height in 8(15.1%) patients, collapsed walls of dilapidated building in 4(7.6%) patients, motor vehicle pedestrian accident and motorbike pedestrian accidents in 2(3.8%) patients each. The type of pelvic fracture was classified according to Tile. Types A, B, and C were found in 24(45.3%), 17(32.1%), and 12(22.6%) patients respectively. In three patients, the fractures were open. Directly associated injury was diagnosed in 9 patients, these were mainly urogenital system, 2 had bladder injuries, 4 had urethral injuries and 3 had vagina laceration. All the patients were managed without recourse to open operative reduction. The outcome was adjudged excellent, good, fair and poor in 18(34%), 20(37.4%), 9(17%), and 6(11.3%) patients respectively.
CONCLUSION: It was concluded that most types of pelvic fractures could be managed with satisfactory results in this environment using the facilities available.
KEY WORDS: Pelvis fracture, motor vehicle accidents, falls.
Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol.3(1) 2004: 10-15
AIMS/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to highlight the pattern of presentation of pelvic injuries, causes, types of the pelvic fracture and outcome of the treatment of these injuries in a teaching hospital in a developing country.
SETTING: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
DESIGN: A seven-year retrospective study was done from January 1995 to December 2001.
RESULTS: The mean age of the patients at presentation was 35.0+14.8 (SD) with 42 males and 11 females. The mean injury severity score was 20.1. Motor vehicular accident remains the most common cause of pelvic fractures in 37(69.8%) patients, fall from height in 8(15.1%) patients, collapsed walls of dilapidated building in 4(7.6%) patients, motor vehicle pedestrian accident and motorbike pedestrian accidents in 2(3.8%) patients each. The type of pelvic fracture was classified according to Tile. Types A, B, and C were found in 24(45.3%), 17(32.1%), and 12(22.6%) patients respectively. In three patients, the fractures were open. Directly associated injury was diagnosed in 9 patients, these were mainly urogenital system, 2 had bladder injuries, 4 had urethral injuries and 3 had vagina laceration. All the patients were managed without recourse to open operative reduction. The outcome was adjudged excellent, good, fair and poor in 18(34%), 20(37.4%), 9(17%), and 6(11.3%) patients respectively.
CONCLUSION: It was concluded that most types of pelvic fractures could be managed with satisfactory results in this environment using the facilities available.
KEY WORDS: Pelvis fracture, motor vehicle accidents, falls.
Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol.3(1) 2004: 10-15
