BACKGROUND: Trauma in Africa is an increasingly significant problem. The aims of this study were to document the epidemiology and clinical management of trauma in a rural Kenyan hospital and from this to highlight important areas for the medical training of doctors managing trauma in similar situations. METHODS: Prospective audit of 202 consecutive trauma patients admitted to Kijabe Hospital. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 31, 77% were males. The median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was nine. The median distance to hospital was 60 km, with a 9 h delay in presentation. Injury mechanisms included road traffic accidents 52%, fall 22%, assaults 13% and burns 6%. The main injuries were limb fractures, soft tissue injuries, head injury and haemo/pneumothorax. Common interventions included fracture management, wound debridement, chest drain insertion, blood transfusion and skin grafting. The overall mortality rate was 3.5%. CONCLUSION: With appropriate resources and training, good trauma outcomes are possible. The importance of access to hospital care and orthopaedic training are highlighted.
BACKGROUND:Trauma in Africa is an increasingly significant problem. The aims of this study were to document the epidemiology and clinical management of trauma in a rural Kenyan hospital and from this to highlight important areas for the medical training of doctors managing trauma in similar situations. METHODS: Prospective audit of 202 consecutive traumapatients admitted to Kijabe Hospital. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 31, 77% were males. The median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was nine. The median distance to hospital was 60 km, with a 9 h delay in presentation. Injury mechanisms included road traffic accidents 52%, fall 22%, assaults 13% and burns 6%. The main injuries were limb fractures, soft tissue injuries, head injury and haemo/pneumothorax. Common interventions included fracture management, wound debridement, chest drain insertion, blood transfusion and skin grafting. The overall mortality rate was 3.5%. CONCLUSION: With appropriate resources and training, good trauma outcomes are possible. The importance of access to hospital care and orthopaedic training are highlighted.
Authors: Caris E Grimes; Rebekah S L Law; Eric S Borgstein; Nyeno C Mkandawire; Christopher B D Lavy Journal: World J Surg Date: 2012-01 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Hani Mowafi; Rae Oranmore-Brown; Kathryn L Hopkins; Emily E White; Yacob F Mulla; Phil Seidenberg Journal: World J Surg Date: 2016-12 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Amir Matityahu; Iain Elliott; Meir Marmor; Amber Caldwell; Richard Coughlin; Richard A Gosselin Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2013-10-04 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Andrew W Kiragu; Stephen J Dunlop; Benjamin W Wachira; Seno I Saruni; Michael Mwachiro; Tina Slusher Journal: J Pediatr Intensive Care Date: 2016-06-24