Plating of Femoral Shaft Fractures: the Experience in an African Teaching Hospital

BACKGROUND

Femoral shaft fractures are common presentation in our trauma units. It is obvious that all these fractures cannot be treated conservatively due to the pressure on trauma beds and thus a suitable method of internal fixation that is feasible in the environment has had to be adopted.

OBJECTIVE

This study is a report of our experience with plate fixation of femoral shaft fracture in our environment.

DESIGN

A retrospective hospital based study.

PATIENT AND METHOD

All patients with femoral shaft fractures stabilized with plates and screws between 1997 and 2004 at the University College Hospital were reviewed. The case notes were retrieved and data extracted from them; all case notes entry gave sufficient information.

RESULTS

The fracture pattern showed 56 cases (35.4%) of Type 32-A, 45 cases (28.5%) of Type 32-B and 57 cases (36.1%) of Type 32-C using AO classification. The outcome of treatment was excellent to good in 125 fractures (77.2%). The average time of healing was 20 weeks (range 16-48). Fracture related complications occurred in nine fractures (5.7%) which included deep infection in four fractures (2.5%) and implant failure in five fractures (3.2%).

CONCLUSION

Femoral shaft plating gives good result if the principles of fixation is carefully followed and in developing countries where initial cost of procurement of equipments for closed nailing may not be forth coming, it thus provide a safe efficient and low cost method of fixation of femoral shaft fracture.