Abstract
Introduction
The management of patients with open leg fracture in Ivory Coast does not meet the standards of developed countries due to socio-economic conditions, accessibility and organization of care. However, is this care problematic? Is it associated with more post-traumatic infection or mechanical complications and are these correlated with the delay for treatment and the method of treatment?
Material and Methods
This is a single-center prospective study conducted on between January 2018 and May 2018 at Bouaké University Hospital. The observed parameters included factors related to patient, fracture and treatment conditions and were correlated with the rates of complications by multivariate analysis.
Results
Fractures, mostly comminuted (69.8%), occurred following a road accident (93%). The series has 30 Gustilo 1 and 2 fractures and 13 Gustilo 3 fractures. The average delay before surgery was 26.6 ± 8.1 hours. Fracture stabilization required the use of a cast, an external fixator or an unlocked nail in 27, 10 and 6 cases, respectively. Complications developed in 28 patients (65%), including 17 malunions and 22 postoperative infections. 11 infections were controlled but 8 developed chronic osteomyelitis and 3 septic non-unions. Uncomplicated union was observed in only 15 cases and an acceptable functional outcome in only 16 cases. Gustilo Grade 3 fractures were associated with an increased risk of complication (p=0.02). The delay of management was not correlated with the appearance of a complication. In contrast, the use of plaster immobilization was significantly associated with an increased risk of complications and infection (p = 0.001).
Conclusion
The management of open fractures in our conditions is associated with a high rate of complications and a satisfactory result in a small number of patients. More than the delay of management, the immobilization modalities by plaster and the insufficiency of this method of contention are correlated to the complications. The development of a National Health Care system covering the expenses for emergent treatment, including rapid transportation to hospitals and availability of external fixators at a lower cost would most probably contribute to a reduction of complications and infection.
Keywords
Open fractures, developing countries, fixation, operative time
