Assessment of normal forearm compartment pressures in a Nigerian population.

PURPOSE: The forearm is prone to raised compartment pressure and it is the second most common site for compartment syndrome. The normal compartment pressure of the forearm should be known and serve as a benchmark for the diagnosis of acute and chronic compartment syndrome. This study was aimed to determine the normal compartment pressures of the forearm using a digital compartment pressure monitor. METHODS: This was a prospective hospital-based study of the uninjured forearm in 30 patients, who presented with closed unilateral forearm fracture at the accident and emergency department of a tertiary health care facility, between June 2012 and December 2013. Approval was sought and obtained from institutions ethical committee. An 18 gauge bevelled-tip needle, attached to a Compass TM digital compartment pressure monitor made by Mirador USA, was used to measure the pressures in the compartments of the forearm. Data obtained were analysed using the Stata 12. Significance was determined at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age was 38.3 ± 18.3 years with male-to-female ratio of 2.3:1. The pressures in the volar compartment of the forearm ranged from 1 to 8 mmHg with a mean ± SD compartment pressure of 4.7 ± 1.5 mmHg. In the dorsal compartment the pressure ranged from 2 to 8 mmHg with a mean ± SD of 4.9 ± 1.7 mmHg SD, while the lateral compartment measurement ranged between 1 and 5 mmHg with a mean ± SD of 3.6 ± 1.1 mmHg. There was significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) between the compartment pressures in the volar, dorsal, and lateral compartments. CONCLUSION: The normal compartment pressure for forearm is 4.4 ± 1.6 mmHg and ranged from 1 to 8 mmHg from this study in our environment. This will serve as reference value when forearm compartment pressure is being measured.

Quadriceps strength and anterior knee pain following tibia intramedullary nailing: Any clinical relationship?

INTRODUCTION: Anterior knee pain can be chronic sequelae of intramedullary nailing of the tibia. Several causes have been identified; no single reason can fully explain the occurrence. We, therefore, set out to find the rate of anterior knee pain in our practice and if any relationship exists between the anterior knee pain and extensor muscle strength. METHODOLOGY: A total of 72 knees in 36 patients with no prior history of knee pain, but had unilateral tibiofibular fracture, who had internal fixation with interlocking intramedullary nailing done and were followed up for at least 1 year were recruited into the study. The tension generated on extension of the knee against a resistance using tensiometer was measured in Newton. The ranges of motion of the knees were documented, as well as Lysholm score which measures activities and document the presence and limitation caused by anterior knee pain. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients with 72 knees were studied. Anterior knee pain occurred in 7 (19.4%) patients in this study. There was no statistically significant relationship between the force of tension (N) generated in the extensor in patients with anterior knee pain compared with those without knee pain (158.43 ± 49.35, 189.54 ± 74.63, P = 0.304). There was, however, a significant statistical relationship between the mean Lysholm score of the operated and unoperated knee (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Anterior knee pain rate was 19.4% in our series and no statistical association exists between the extensor strength and occurrence of anterior knee pain.

Antegrade Versus Retrograde Approach to Interlocking Nail Fixation of Femoral Diaphyseal Fractures: Is there Difference in Time to Union?

BACKGROUND: Antegrade reamed interlocked intramedullary nailing is the treatment of choice forfemoral diaphyseal fractures. More recently, retrograde intramedullary nailing of the femur has been seen as a viable alternative to the antegrade nail. METHODS: This was a prospective comparative study. Consecutive patients were placed alternately into a study group (retrograde nailing) and a control group (antegrade nailing) in a ratio of 2:1 i.e two retrograde nailing for every antegrade nailing. Forty one fractures had interlocking intramedullary fixation via the retrograde approach (study group), while the control group consisted of twenty fractures that had fixation via the antegrade approach. All were followed up for a minimum period of nine months (range of nine to twenty-four months). RESULTS: The mean duration of surgery in the retrograde group was 157.07minutes and 137.40 minutes in the antegrade group (p=0.093). The mean duration to fracture union was 16.98±4.71 weeks in the retrograde group and 15.80±5.43 weeks in the antegrade group (p = 0.388). There was no incidence of non-union in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Retrograde approach compares favourably with antegrade approach for intramedullary interlocking nail fixation of diaphyseal femoral fracture in adults with respect to time of fracture healing.

Implant failure in lower limb long bone diaphyseal fractures at a tertiary hospital in Ile- Ife. Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This included determining aetiology of failure and comparing the failure rate in implant fixations using solid intramedullary nail and DCP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study conducted at the Orthopaedic Department, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife,Nigeria. Records of all operated cases of lower limb long bone diaphyseal fractures including those with failed fixations from August 2006-July 2011 were reviewed. Data retrieved included type of implant used, aetiology and characteristics of Implant failure. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. Frequency distribution of the variables of interest was done. Difference in failure rate of intramedullary nail versus DCP was tested using chi-square. Statistical significance was inferred at p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 280 patients were studied out of which two hundred and twenty-one patients had long bone diaphyseal fractures and met inclusion criteria, of which 135 had intramedullary nail fixation and 86 had DCP. The rate of implant failure in intramedullary nail was 1.5% while it was 5.8% in patients with DCP (p=0.113; 0R=4.10; 95% CI=0.65- 43.77). Implant fracture was the commonest type of failure seen (100% versus 60%) and non union was the commonest cause of failure seen (50% versus 40%) in the intramedullary nailing and DCP groups respectively. CONCLUSION: The likelihood of a failed implant is higher in fixations done with DCP compared with intramedullary nail though the difference was not statistically significant. Commonest reason for failure in both groups was non-union. Findings from this study may guide surgeons in choice of implant in the management of long bone fractures.

Comparison of unreamed interlocking nail and external fixation in open tibia shaft fracture management.

BACKGROUND: The management of open tibia fractures remains controversial despite increase in its incidence. Some surgeons avoid internal fixations for fear of infection while others have demonstrated its superiority. Identifying an optimal management modality is of utmost benefit to our patients. Study objectives were to compare the rate of infection and mean duration to healing in the management of open tibia fractures using unreamed interlocking intramedullary nail and external fixation. METHODS: The study was an interventional study comparing two known standard methods of managing open tibia fractures conducted in the orthopaedic and trauma department of a tertiary health institution in South west, Nigeria. Forty patients who presented with open tibia fractures were allocated alternately into primary interlocking nailing group and external fixation group. Follow-up was for two years. RESULTS: Incidences of deep wound infection in both groups were 35% (external fixation) and 11.1% (interlocking nailing) respectively. The relative risk of developing infection in external fixation group was 3.2. Mean duration to union was 14.8 weeks and 14.4 weeks in the external fixation and interlocking nailing groups respectively, difference in mean was not statistically significant, (t=0.133, p=0.895). CONCLUSION: The risk of wound infection was observed to be higher in this study with the use of external fixation in the management of open tibia fractures compared with unreamed interlocking intramedullary nail.

Comparison of effect of retrograde and antegrade approaches to interlocking nail fixation of femoral diaphyseal fractures on ipsilateral hip and knee joint motion.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the early impact of antegrade and retrograde interlocking nail fixation of femoral diaphyseal fractures on the ipsilateral hip and knee joint range of motion. METHODS: A prospective evaluation was performed of 62 consecutive limbs with femoral diaphyseal fractures that had interlocking nail fixation through the antegrade or retrograde approaches. All participants had post-operative physiotherapy. Follow-up was for 9 months. RESULTS: The mean maximum hip flexion angle at 9 months was 137.50 in the antegrade group and 133.80 in the retrograde group (p = 0.150). Trendelenburg test was negative in both groups and there was no knee extension lag at 9 months. While the mean maximum knee flexion angle at 9 months was 119.90 in the retrograde group and 134.50 in the antegrade group (p = 0.023). All patients had achieved radiologic and clinical fracture union by twenty four weeks post-operatively. CONCLUSION: There was no significant effect of antegrade or retrograde approach on the range of motion of the hip joint. However, knee motion improved more quickly in the group that had antegrade nailing.

A classification system for recurrent ameloblastoma of the jaws--review of 30 cases in Nigerians.

This paper reviewed the clinicopathologic presentation of recurrent ameloblastoma in 30 Nigerian patients at three tertiary referral centers with the sole objective of developing a classification system. Most recurrences occurred in patients in their 3rd decade of life (20-29years) and males were more frequently affected than females (1.5 to 1). Though enucleation resulted in the highest rate of recurrences (30%), hemi-mandibulectomy also resulted in a 20% recurrence rate. Majority of the recurrences occurred within 5 to 9 years after primary surgery. Most primary jaw sites of the lesion corresponded with the primary jaw sites of the recurrent tumor which in itself may be a reflection of inadequate primary treatment. The most frequent anatomic site of primary tumors that recurred was c4 (highest level of ramus involvement). The most frequent anatomic classification of the recurrent tumors was recurrence at one bone margin (Bla) and recurrence at intervening /adjacent soft tissues between the resected bone edges (Blc). Mandible to maxilla recurrence increases the likelihood of extension to the skull and brain.

Femoral bifurcation with ipsilateral tibia hemimelia: early outcome of ablation and prosthetic fitting.

Femoral bifurcation and tibia hemimelia are rare anomalies. Hereby, we present a case report of a 2-year-old boy who first presented in our orthopedic clinic as a 12-day-old neonate, with a grossly deformed right lower limb from a combination of complete tibia hemimelia and ipsilateral femoral bifurcation. Excision of femoral exostosis, knee disarticulation and prosthetic fitting gives satisfactory early outcome.

Superficial swab cultures in open fracture management: insights from a resource-poor setting.

OBJECTIVE: To identify bacterial isolates from superficial swabs of open fracture wounds at presentation and after infection has been established, and to determine if there are correlations between them. METHOD: Patients who presented with open fractures at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria between December 2004 and May 2006 were recruited into this prospective study. Superficial wound swabs were taken at presentation and if patient showed evidence of wound infection. RESULTS: Sixty patients had open fractures. The initial bacteria culture of wound swabs taken on the day of presentation was positive in 41 (68.3%) patients. Of these, 19 (46.3%) yielded one bacteria isolate, 17 (41.5%) yielded two and 5 (12.2%) yielded three, making a total of 68 organisms. The most common organism was Staphylococcus aureus. However, as a group, more aerobic Gram-negative rods were isolated than any other bacteria groups. Eleven (18.3%) patients developed wound infections, all of which were polymicrobial. In 10 (90.9%) of these, the microbial isolate of the final wound swab included at least one organism that was present in the initial wound culture. No patient with an initial negative culture went on to develop a wound infection. The mean presentation interval of patients with wounds that became infected was 15.2 ± 7.9 hours (95% CI 9.8-20.5 hours) compared with 2.9 ± 3.1 hours (95% CI 2.0-3.8 hours) for those who did not develop a wound infection (p>0.01). CONCLUSION: In a resource-poor setting, where pre-hospital care is unavailable and patients present late, superficial wound swabs are effective in predicting subsequent organisms that may cause wound infections. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Mortality among orthopaedic and traumatology admissions: a ten year review.

OBJECTIVE: Mortality in orthopaedic patients is not a common event. This study sets out to review the incidence and causes of mortality in orthopaedic and trauma admissions in a tertiary centre in a developing country. METHODS: Medical records of patients admitted to the Orthopaedic wards of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife over a ten year period (January 1999-December 2008) were retrospectively reviewed. The death certificates and postmortem examination findings were used in conjunction with the medical records to arrive at the possible cause of death in the deceased patients. Frequency analysis was done using SPSS version 13. RESULTS: Over this period, 2418 patients were admitted for orthopaedic and trauma with 84 deaths giving an overrall crude mortality rate of 3.47% (1.27% for paediatrics and 4.39% for the adults). Fourty nine patients (58.4%) died from trauma (fracture) related diagnoses followed by tumour (21, 25%) and infection (14,16.7%). Males were more affected 73.8% and the average age at death was 45.7years. Co-morbid conditions were found in 393% of the deceased patients. CONCLUSION: Trauma related deaths were the leading cause of mortality in our ward admissions and male patients at the prime of their lives were more often involved. Accident prevention and provision of facilities for appropriate management of trauma victims will help reduce substantially these untimely deaths in our world. The high incidence of co-morbid conditions emphasizes the role of multidisciplinary care in orthopaedic and trauma patients.

A comparison of superficial and deep bacterial presence in open fractures of the lower extremities.

This open prospective study compared the bacterial flora of superficial and deep-wound biopsies and swabs over a 2-year period in 4 different samples cultured from open fracture wounds at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Samples were taken from 47 patients with factures graded according to Gustilo and Anderson's classification as grade 1 (2.1%), grade II (29.8%), grade IIIA (36.2%), and grade IIIB (31%). A total of 248 samples were cultured using standard techniques. The incidence of open fracture wounds was 78.7% in male patients and 21.3% in female patients. Tibia fractures constituted 66.1%. A total of 203 bacterial isolates were cultured from 248 samples. Gram-negative bacteria constituted 53.2% of isolates, with Escherichia coli being predominant (12.8%). Staphylococcus aureus were the predominant Gram-positive cocci (15.3%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (13.3%) may be considered to be the major source of open fracture wound contamination. The bacterial species cultured from superficial and deep-wound swabs and biopsies were similar. Resistance to antimicrobials was high for penicillins (amoxicillin and cloxacillin), with values of 68.6% and 58.3%, respectively, for superficial bacterial species and 58.2% and 31.9%, respectively, for deep-wound biopsies.

Assessment of limited joint mobility of the hand in Black Africans with diabetes mellitus and in non-diabetics.

OBJECTIVE: This study is designed to further characterize Limited Joint Mobility (LJM) of the hand using quantitative goniometric measurements among Black Africans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-diabetes. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with Type 2 diabetes and 63 normal controls matched for age and gender were purposively selected. Visual clinical examination and quantitative goniometric assessment of patients with DM and non-DM controls were done. The LJM was graded using the criteria of Silverstein et al. Glycaemic control and proteinuria were also assessed. RESULTS: Prevalence of LJM among Type 2 DM patients was 26.3% compared with 4.8% in normal controls. Subjects with LJM within the control group were significantly older than those with LJM within the DM group (p < 0.05). Prayer sign was 11.8% in DM patients compared with 4.8% of control. The flattening sign demonstrated by the inability to flatten their hands on a flat surface was more in patients with DM (10.5%) compared with 4.8% in the control group. Stage II LJM with 18.4% prevalence was the commonest followed by Stage III (7.9%) among patients with DM. Poor glycaemic control was found in 85%, using fasting plasma glucose and 70%, using 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2 hpp). CONCLUSION: We conclude that Black Africans with Type 2 DM only have moderately severe cases of LJM.

Screening and identifying diabetic patients at risk of foot ulceration: use of the Semes­Weinstein monofilament

The diabetic foot can present with many different problems and the most important clinically are ulceration, amputation, and Charcot neuropathy. The majority of lower limb amputations in patients with diabetes are preceded by foot ulceration. Neuropathy results in loss of protective sensation and the use of 5.07/10 g Semmes­Weinstein monofilament is a simple device that detects patients with insensate feet. Clinical and demographic parameters of all consenting consecutive type 2 diabetes patients were documented. A history of the presence of peripheral neuropathy and sensory modalities of light touch, vibration sense, and joint position were assessed and the 5.07/10 g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament was used to detect patients with insensate feet. A total of 117 patients were examined (mean age 58 years, diabetes duration 6 years: there were 51% males and 49% females, and mean fasting plasma glucose was 8.1±2.9 mmol/L. Ninety-three (79%) presented with a history of peripheral neuropathy and 96% had one or more impaired sensory modality. The use of the monofilament showed impairment in 49%. Twenty-seven (23%) of these had severe peripheral neuropathy. The most frequent site of loss of sensation was the heel (31%). We concluded that the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in our patients is high. Most patients walked sometimes barefoot, which may account for a high occurrence of foot ulceration. The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament should be routinely used in diabetes clinics

Gunshot injuries in a Nigerian hospital

Background: Gunshot injuries are major problems worldwide from the medical and economic perspectives and are associated with profound morbidity and significant mortality. Many previousstudies were focused on specific sites of injury but this study was aimed at the pattern and presentation of the gunshot injuries. Patients and Methods: This was a combined retrospective and prospective study of gunshot injuries in a Nigerian hospital. The medical records of patients with gunshot injuries between January and December 2004 were reviewed. Prospectivedata collection was done between January and October 2005. Results: Total number of patients was 38 and male: female ratio was 18:1. Thirty (78.9) were below the age of 40 years. The locally made dane gun was the instrument of attack in 24 (63.1) and 19 (50.0) of the patients were victims of armed robbery. The most frequently injured sites were the extremities of which the lower limb was 28 (73.7) and the upper limb was in 10 (26.3) patients. Conclusion: It was concluded that gunshot injuries occur more below age of forty years and the limbs were more injured. Armed robbery attack contributed to about half of the attacks and injuries results mainly from locally made dane guns. It was found that pistols were usually loaded with multiple pellets thus there could be multiple entry and exit wounds in patients attacked with pistol in our environment

The bacteriology of open fractures in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to determine the pattern of bacterial isolates and antibiotic sensitivity profile in open fractures. Fifty-nine patients with open fractures of the lower limb long bones were studied. The majority of the cases were Gustilo and Anderson types II 21(35.6%), and IIIA 16(27.1%). METHOD: The patients were assessed by history taking, physical examination, and plain radiographs. Wound swabs were taken for bacteriological studies. Other necessary investigations were also done. During wound debridement open fractures were classified into Grades I, II and III using the Gustilo-Anderson method of classification. RESULTS: The infection rate was 45.8%. Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative rods were isolated. On the whole Staphylococcus aureus 13(25%), and Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS) 14(26.9%), were the commonest organisms isolated. The commonest Gram-negative rods that were isolated from the wounds were Proteus mirabilis 9(17.3%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 8(15.4%). Multiple organisms were commonly isolated from the wounds. While all the organisms isolated showed very good sensitivity to gentamicin, cloxacillin and ofloxacin, most of the organisms were resistant to penicillin, ampicillin and tetracycline. The sensitivity ranged from 62.5% to 100%. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CONS) showed sensitivity to the widest range of antibiotics which included penicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, cloxacillin and ofloxacin. The sensitivity ranged from 35.7% to 100%. There was statistically significant difference between the open tibial and femoral fracture cases with respect to the interval between injury and debridement time (p = 0.008); the rate of wound infection (p = 0.021); and the occurrence of osteomyelitis (p = 0.023). The commonest complications observed were wound infection 27(45.8%), and delayed fracture union 26(44.1%), which were commoner in the open tibial fractures. CONCLUSION: This study shows that Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CONS) were the commonest organisms associated with open fracture of the lower limbs in our centre and that delay in the initial wound debridement was a major predisposing factor to wound infection.

Bilateral congenital convex pes valgus a case report.

This paper reports bilateral congenital convex pes valgus frequently termed vertical talus. A successful simple one-stage surgical reconstruction is described to enhance the understanding of the management of this rare complex deformity. Long follow up is emphasized because of a high incidence of recurrence. There has been a one-year follow up so far. Plantigrade and painless feet have been achieved which enables the patient to wear normal shoes.

Spinal tuberculosis: a 15 year review at OAUTHC Ile-Ife.

A review of the hospital records over 15 years was made. The objective of the study was to describe the clinical presentation, management and outcome of spinal tuberculosis. Thirty-four patients were studied. There were 15(44.16%) males and 19 (55. 9%) females. Their age range was 2-80 years with mean (+/- SD) of 25.28 +/- 22.33 years. The occupations most commonly affected are Students (44.1%), Pre-school Children (17.6%) and Traders (14.7%). Back pain (100%), weight loss (47.1%), paraparesis (47.1%), kyphotic spinal deformity (32.4%) and night sweats (29.4%) were common features. Only 26.5% patients had active pulmonary tuberculosis. All the vertebral segments were involved. The Lumbar spine was the most involved vertebral segment in 50% patients. Using the Westergren method the mean (+/- SD) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) mm/hour at the initial diagnosis was 83.58 +/- 31.11 mm/hour whereas three months after the commencement of antituberculosis chemotherapy it was 30.06 +/- 11.96 mm/hour. All the patients were given multiple antituberculosis drugs therapy and spinal traction. Spinal support was offered when the patients became ambulant. At the end of two years follow-up, 94.1% patients were alive, while 5.9% patients died during the course of treatment due to overwhelming sepsis. Among the patients that were alive, 14.7% still had persistence of their neurological deficit ie. paraparesis. Ten percent of the patients were mobilised on crutches while 5.96% were confined to wheelchair. This study shows that in tuberculosis endemic areas, symptom of back pain especially in the younger age group should be thoroughly investigated as this group constituted the largest affected population.

Open fractures of the lower limb in Nigeria.

During an 18-month period we studied prospectively 63 consecutive patients (42 males, 21 females) with an open fracture of the lower limb. Their mean age was 32 years (range: 4-78 years) and 58 patients with 59 fractures were available until the conclusion of the study. Forty-seven had tibial fractures, 12 had femoral fractures and the majority of the patients were either students or traders. According to Gustilo and Anderson's grading, 21 fractures were of type II and 16 of type IIIA. On arrival all the wounds were irrigated and debrided and the patients also received tetanus prophylaxis and intravenous antibiotics. Of the 47 tibial fractures 39 were managed with an above-knee plaster of Paris cast which was windowed so as to allow wound care. Of the 12 femoral fractures ten were treated with skeletal traction on a Bohler frame. The time taken for soft tissue healing was not significantly different between the tibial and femoral fractures. There were, however, significant differences with respect to (1) the time interval between injury and debridement, (2) the incidence of wound infection, (3) the occurrence of osteomyelitis, (4) fracture union time, and (5) time spent in hospital. The most common complications were wound infections (27 cases) and delayed union (26 cases). The time interval between injury and wound debridement was a major prognostic factor.