Patterns of Fractures and Their Current Hospital Management in Eastern Ethiopia: A Six-Years Prospective review.

Background: Fracture is a common problem that contributes greatly to the clinical load of a hospital. Their management especially those that require in-patient treatment and operative fixation is becoming a considerable burden on health care systems. There is very little relevant information on the pattern of fractures occurring in developing countries especially from those in tropical zones. The objective of this study was to identify the patterns of fractures and to assess the existing fracture management in Dilchora Referral Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia.
Methods: This prospective audit was conducted by the author who recorded the relevant findings on every patient with a fracture admitted to his orthopedic ward from January 2005 – February 2011. Patients who received any neurosurgical or general surgical procedures were excluded from this audit.
Results: A total of 1354 patient with one or more fractures, 975 Males (72%), and 379 Females (28%) were admitted during the six year study period. The majority (71%) of the patients were aged between 15-54 years, while 237 (18%) were under 15 Years. Only 154 (11%) were over 54 years. The bones involved included Tibia/Fibula (25%), Femur (22%), Ankle (15%), Pelvis (7%), Radius/Ulna (6%), and humeral shaft (5%). Closed fractures accounted for 1037 (77%) and open fractures for 317 (23%). Plaster was applied for 654 fractures (48.4%), Traction for 241 (17.8%), and open reduction with internal Fixation for 201 (14.4%). External Fixations were used for 43 (3.2%), Debridement for 97 (7.9%) and other techniques for 118 (8.7%).
Conclusion: With the shortage of orthopaedic implants and instruments it is possible to achieve very good results for most of the fracture patterns managed conservatively.