Management of Open Tibia Shaft Fractures in Ghana: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Le résumé fourni par la source

Objective To evaluate patient and injury characteristics and functional outcomes of open tibial shaft fractures among patients treated at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. Methods We recruited consenting patients with open tibial shaft fractures over a 3-month period and followed-up each participant for at least 2 years. The functional status of each enrolled patient was assessed at 2 years following injury, using Short Form 36. Results Over the 3-month inclusive period of the study, a total of 55 open fractures of the tibia and fibula diaphysis were recorded in 55 patients. Most (52.7%) had Gustillo-Anderson grade III injury. External fixation was the mode of stabilisation (65.5%) At 2 years, 51.9% (28 of 54) had excellent functional outcome. In total, 52.7% of the participants were able to use the affected limb as before the injury, and 92.6% (50 of 54) had returned to their previous work. Conclusion The outcome of open tibial shaft fractures at the study site is good-to-excellent in most (92.6%) patients, with a return-to-previous occupation rate of 92.6%. Gustillo-Anderson grade III injury was the most predominant (52.7%) and sub-type IIIB, the most common among the grade III injuries. External fixation was the most common mode of stabilization of open tibial diaphyseal fractures.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.