F Wichlas1,2, V Hofmann1,2, G Strada3, M Moursy1, C Deininger4,5. 1. University Clinic for Orthopedics and Traumatology, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria. 2. No Limit Surgery, Ernest-Thun-Strasse 6, 5020, Salzburg, Austria. 3. Emergency NGO, Milan, Italy. 4. University Clinic for Orthopedics and Traumatology, Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria. christian.deininger@hotmail.com. 5. No Limit Surgery, Ernest-Thun-Strasse 6, 5020, Salzburg, Austria. christian.deininger@hotmail.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Lack of resources, severe injuries, and logistical flaws force surgeons in low-income countries (LIC) to improvise during surgery and use implants "off-label." These off-label treatments are specific for the work of trauma surgeons in non-governmental (NGO) hospitals in LIC. The aim of this study is to show the need of off-label surgery in an environment of low resources by means of typical examples. METHODS: Off-label treated fractures, the implant used instead, and the reason for off-label treatment were investigated in 367 injuries over a three month period in an NGO hospital in Sierra Leone. RESULTS: Twenty-seven fractures were treated off-label with mostly K-wires (88.89%) and external fixators (51.85%). Three reasons for off-label use could be defined: no suitable implants (N = 14), the condition of soft tissues that did not allow internal osteosyntheses (N = 10), and implants not ready for surgery due to logistic flaws (N = 3). The implants needed were mostly locking plates. CONCLUSION: Surgeons in similar settings must use K-wires and external fixators to treat complex fractures. Using implants off-label can help surgeons to treat fractures otherwise left untreated.
PURPOSE: Lack of resources, severe injuries, and logistical flaws force surgeons in low-income countries (LIC) to improvise during surgery and use implants "off-label." These off-label treatments are specific for the work of trauma surgeons in non-governmental (NGO) hospitals in LIC. The aim of this study is to show the need of off-label surgery in an environment of low resources by means of typical examples. METHODS: Off-label treated fractures, the implant used instead, and the reason for off-label treatment were investigated in 367 injuries over a three month period in an NGO hospital in Sierra Leone. RESULTS: Twenty-seven fractures were treated off-label with mostly K-wires (88.89%) and external fixators (51.85%). Three reasons for off-label use could be defined: no suitable implants (N = 14), the condition of soft tissues that did not allow internal osteosyntheses (N = 10), and implants not ready for surgery due to logistic flaws (N = 3). The implants needed were mostly locking plates. CONCLUSION: Surgeons in similar settings must use K-wires and external fixators to treat complex fractures. Using implants off-label can help surgeons to treat fractures otherwise left untreated.
Authors: Neil P Sheth; W Mack Hardaker; Kevin S Zakielarz; Michele Rudolph; Honest Massawe; L Scott Levin; Ajay Premkumar Journal: J Orthop Trauma Date: 2018-10 Impact factor: 2.512
Authors: Kevin J Blair; Lorenzo Paladino; Pamela L Shaw; Michael B Shapiro; Benedict C Nwomeh; Mamta Swaroop Journal: J Surg Res Date: 2016-11-10 Impact factor: 2.192