ABSTRACT
Background: Individuals within the geriatric age group sustained different types of fractures as such the need to determine the incidence and pattern of limb fractures among patients 65 years and above admitted through the accident and emergency department of the University College Hospital Ibadan.Methods: A retrospective hospital-based study in which patients 65 years and above admitted through the accident and emergency department of the University College Hospital Ibadan over a 42-month period were involved in the study. Using a proformal completed from the electronically stored data that captures the patient’s history, examination findings, X-ray film and treatment offered which was collected on a weekly basis.Results: 12.58% of the patients reviewed within the study period were geriatric patients. A total of 98 geriatric patients were reviewed. There were 59 female and 39 male with a ratio 1.5:1. The fractures were mostly secondary to a trivial fall within their homes (68.37%) while traumatic injury from motor vehicle and motor bike crashes accounted for 11.22% and 16.33% respectively. The most commonly fractured bone is the femur and the proximal third is the most affected part. Comminuted fracture is the most common pattern observed.Conclusions: More than 10% of the reviewed population was in the geriatric age group and the proximal femur was the most commonly fractured bone in this age group. They usually follow trivial falls.
ABSTRACT
Background: Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV) is a common musculoskeletal congenital disorder. Historically, surgical treatment of various types was popular; however, currently the gold standard of treatment is non-operative care using the Ponseti method. This work evaluates the outcome of this former method of managing CTEV before author adopted the Ponseti Method and compares it with the reported outcomes of the Ponseti method in published literature.Methods: A retrospective review of this data from January 1990 to December 2003 was done, the patients demographics, treatment given, duration and outcome of care were analysed using descriptive statistics. This finding was then compared with outcomes of Ponseti method in literature.Results: Here, 145 patients had initial non operative care; eighteen of those patients (12.4%), eventually require either a posteromedial release, a combined posteromedial and posterolateral releases or a triple arthrodesis.Conclusions: The study shows that the success rate of this method of manipulation preceding the adoption of the Ponseti method is 87.6%. This outcome is inferior when compared to the outcome of Ponseti method in published literature. Also, the extensive nature of eventual surgical intervention required to achieve correction is in contrast to the minimal surgeries needed achieve correction of residual deformities following the use of the Ponseti method.
ABSTRACT
Road traffic injuries are major public health problems and a leading cause of death and injury around the world. Approximately 1.2 million people are killed each year in road crashes worldwide; with up to 50 million more injured. Over 95 of these deaths and injuries occur in the low- and middle-income countries of the world. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the use of seat-belts in reducing the severity of injuries from road traffic crashes and to determine the compliance and awareness of the importance of the use of seat-belts among Nigerian motorists. Patients and Methods: The injury patterns and outcome of care in 140 patients who were seen at the emergency department of our tertiary hospital were evaluated. Initial care and resuscitation was carried out on all patients using the advanced trauma life support protocol. Results: A total of 81 (57) patients used seat-belts; while 59 (42.1) did not. Nineteen (13.6) patients died as a result of their injuries; 4 (21.1) of these had used seat-belts; while 15 (79) had not ( P = 0.001). The mortality rate of 79 for patients who did not use seat-belt was statistically significant. Conclusions: The seat-belt is an effective safety tool that not only saves lives; but also significantly reduces the severity of the injury that a vehicle occupant may have sustained if they were not wearing the device. More public enlightenment is needed to increase the awareness and compliance of use of seat-belts among Nigerian motorists. for patients who did not use seat-belt was statistically significant. Conclusions: The seat-belt is an effective safety tool that not only saves lives; but also significantly reduces the severity of the injury that a vehicle occupant may have sustained if they were not wearing the device. More public enlightenment is needed to increase the awareness and compliance of use of seat-belts among Nigerian motorists