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East and Central African Journal of Surgery
Association of Surgeons of East Africa and College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa
ISSN: 1024-297X EISSN: 1024-297X
Vol. 19, No. 1, 2014, pp. 133-139
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Bioline Code: js14023
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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East and Central African Journal of Surgery, Vol. 19, No. 1, 2014, pp. 133-139
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Results of Lateral Condylar Blade Plate Fixation of Supracondylar Fractures of the Femur in an African Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria.
Ifesanya, A.O.; Ogundele Olumuyiwa, J.; Melekwe, K.C. & Alonge, T.O.
Abstract
Background: The concerns about operative stabilization of supracondylar femoral fractures are
complications, especially hardware infection and disturbance of normal knee function. We
reviewed the results of operative fixation of supracondylar femoral fractures using the lateral
condylar blade plate device in our centre.
Methods: All patients operatively treated using a lateral condylar blade plate device within a 13-
year period were reviewed.
Results: There were thirty two fractures. Mean age was 47.3±21.5 years. There were 22 AO type 33-A, 4 type 33-B and 6 type 33-C fractures.
Traffic crashes accounted for 15 cases (46.9%). Six were open (Gustilo type IIIa). Surgery was
delayed for an average of 21.3 days. Length of hospitalization was 69.7±43.5 days. Follow up
averaged 23.6 weeks and average time to fracture union was 17.8±1.0 weeks. All fractures united
during follow up with an excellent outcome in 22 (68.8%), good in 5 cases (15.6%), moderate in 4
(12.5%) and a poor outcome in one patient using the Schatzker and Lambert criteria.
Complications included knee stiffness (15.6%), bone infection (9.4%) and loosening of an implant.
The infections subsided after removal of the hardware.
Conclusions: Treatment of supracondylar femoral fractures with the lateral condylar plate usually
promises good results. However, high energy injuries are often prone to complications.
Keywords
Supracondylar femur; fracture; operative treatment; injuries; Nigeria
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© Copyright 2014 - East and Central African Journal of Surgery
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