Patterns of Ankle Fracture and Its Complications after Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in Addis Ababa Burn, Emergency and Trauma (AaBET) Hospital: between September 2015 to August 2017

Abstract

Abstract Background: Ankle fracture (true ankle fracture) includes fracture of distal tibia, fibula and the talus. Motion of the ankle is complex but true ankle joint allows dorsiflexion and plantar flexion. Ankle fracture is one of the most common lower limb fractures for they account for 10% of all fractures representing a significant portion of the trauma workload. Ankle fractures usually affect young men and older women, however, below the age of 50; ankle fractures are the commonest in men. The vast majority of ankle fractures are malleolar fractures: 60 to 70% as unimalleolar, 15 to 20% as bimalleolar and 7 to 12% as trimalleolar. Ankle fractures may be managed either operatively or non-operatively. There is no data on patterns and complications of ankle fracture management in Ethiopia. Objective: To identify Patterns of Ankle Fracture and Its complications after ORIF in AaBET Hospital between September, 2015 to August, 2017 G.C Methodology: The study employed a retrospective cross sectional Study design on all patients treated for ankle fracture at AaBET Hospital orthopedics Department between September 2015 to August 2017 G.C. Study subjects were identified from the hospital admission/discharge records, patient cards, morning logbook and operation log books which was collected by pretested data collection format by trained final year medical students. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 software. The analyzed data is presented using charts, tables, and graphs and described using texts. Depending on the result appropriate interpretations, discussions, conclusions and recommendations are made. The total cost of the project was 28,930 birr. RESULT Most of ankle fracture patients under this study were from Oromia region (56%). Majority (65%) patients were at or below the age of 40 years and 73% of patients were male. The cause of injury in the majority of patients (51%) was road traffic accident. Most of the ankle fractures were bimalleolar (58%). Open and closed ankle fractures were comparable. Most patients have left ankle fracture (54%). Weber type C is the commonest type of fracture (68%). Tibial fracture was the most common associated fracture (12%). Among patients admitted and treated for ankle fracture, majority (91%) were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The most common used implant was plate and screw (64.8%). Surgical site infection was the most common postoperative complication (31%) following ankle fracture managements.