Keywords
fractures
limbs
Diffa
Niger
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction :
The management of firearm-related limb fractures is a common activity in hospitals in war zones.
Method :
This retrospective study reports the experience of the surgical department of the regional hospital of Diffa in the management of firearm-related limb fractures.
Results :
Limb injuries represented 87.64% (n= 227) of admissions for firearm trauma (N=259). Limb fractures were found in 118 patients, i.e. 51.98% of patients with limb injuries, and concerned young patients with an average age of 28.24 years (extremes: 2 and 77 years) with a clear male predominance. The gravity of these fractures depended on the degree of comminution, possible vascular and nerve damage affecting the prognosis of the limb and, in particular, related injuries. Outcomes are successful with an average stay of 11.61 days. Complications were minor, dominated by superficial suppuration in 6.78% (n=8). Intra-hospital mortality was low at 1.69%.
Conclusion :
Management must be standardised because of the possible mass casualty that can seriously disturb the performance of health facilities in the lack of a dedicated emergency plan.
References
1. Hennessy MJ, Banks HH, Leach RB, Quigi TB. Extremity Gunshot Wound and Gunshot Fracture in Civilian Practice: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 1976 ;1976(114):296-303.
2. Bowyer GW, Rossiter ND. Management of gunshot wounds of the limbs. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery British volume. 1997;79-B (6):1031‑6.
3. Murray J, Cerqueira DR de C, Kahn T. Crime and violence in Brazil: Systematic review of time trends, prevalence rates and risk factors. Aggression and Violent Behavior. 2013;18(5):471‑83.
4. Tosti R, Rehman S. Surgical Management Principles of Gunshot-Related Fractures. Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 2013, 44(4):529‑40.
5. Yudin S. Treatment of Gunshot Fractures of Limbs. Br Med J. 1943, 2(4322): 567-72.
6. Engelmann EWM, Roche S, Maqungo S, Naude D, Held M. Treating fractures in upper limb gunshot injuries: The Cape Town experience. Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research. 2019, 105(3):517‑22.
7. Maqungo S, Kauta N, Held M, Mazibuko T, Keel MJ, Laubscher M, et al. Gunshot injuries to the lower extremities: Issues, controversies and algorithm of management. Injury. 2020, 51(7):1426‑31.
8. Bartlett CS, Helfet DL, Hausman MR, Strauss E. Ballistics and Gunshot Wounds: Effects on Musculoskeletal Tissues: Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2000, 8(1):21‑36.
9. Fowler KA, Dahlberg LL, Haileyesus T, Annest JL. Firearm injuries in the United States. Preventive Medicine. 2015, 79:5‑14.
10. Burg et al. Treating Civilian Gunshot Wounds to the Extremitie: Isr Med Assoc J. 2009, 11(9):546-51.
11. Gismalla MDA, Bakhiet M, Koko M, Kabbashi A. Gunshot Injuries: Patterns, Presentations, and Outcomes of Civilian Hospital Experiences in a Developing Country Setting. 2020, Doi.org/1 0.21 203/rs.3.rs-4261 1 /v1.
12. Ehlissou Kolima AK, Kanfitine KN, Damessane L, Fare G-P, Dolès SH, Yaovi AM, et al. Prise en charge des lésions traumatiques de membres au cours des missions de pacification au Nord du Mali. Pan Afr Med J. 2018, 30 :295.
13. Persad et al. - 2005 - Gunshot injuries to the extremities experience of. Injury, Int. J. Care Injured 2005, 36 : 407-11.
14. Abghari M, Monroy A, Schubl S, Davidovitch R, Egol K. Outcomes following low-energy civilian gunshot wound trauma to the lower extremities: results of a standard protocol at an urban trauma center: Iowa Orthop J. 2015, 35 :65-9.
15. Amri K, Tounsi A, Oueslati A, Salah MB, Dhahri R, Chourabi C, et al. Efficiency of the Damage Control Orthopedic Strategy in the Management of Military Ballistic Limb Trauma. 2020, Doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs68375/v1.
16. Rowley DI. The management of war wounds involving bone. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery British volume. 1996, 78-B (5):706‑9.
17. Dicpinigaitis PA, Koval KJ, Tejwani NC, Egol KA. Gunshot Wounds to the Extremities. Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis .2006, 64(3-4) :139-55.
18. Volgas DA, Stannard JP, Alonso JE. Current orthopaedic treatment of ballistic injuries. Injury. 2005, 36(3):380‑6.
19. Dakoure PWH, Abalo AG, Sanon BG, Da SC, Some OR, Kambou T et al. Traumatismes Balistiques Au Chu De BoboDioulasso (Burkina Faso): A Propos De 39 Cas. J. Rech. Sci. Univ. Lomé (Togo), 2011, Série D, 13(1) : 55-60.
Metrics
Downloads
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 M Abdoulaye, O Adakal, G Ide, C Onuoha, M Maikassoua, M Abdoulwahab, A Samake, M Rouga, I Amadou Magagi, H Adamou, T Moussa, Y Hama, L James Didier, B Souna, R Sani