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Bone setter's gangrene
1Department of Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Banjul, The Gambia.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|October 29, 2000
Summary
Iatrogenic limb gangrene from traditional bone setters is a preventable issue in developing nations. Improved pediatric trauma care is crucial to reduce severe complications like amputation and death.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Trauma Care
- Global Health
Background:
- Limited data exist on trauma care complications in developing countries.
- This study focuses on iatrogenic limb gangrene from traditional bone setters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the morbidity and mortality associated with poor trauma care.
- To present experience with bone setter's gangrene in children.
Main Methods:
- Identified children with bone setter's gangrene from a pediatric surgery database.
- Prospective data collection at a government referral hospital in The Gambia.
Main Results:
- Nine children treated for bone setter's gangrene over 29 months.
- 56% required proximal extremity amputations; 1 death from sepsis.
- Complications included chronic osteomyelitis and functional limb loss.
Conclusions:
- Bone setter's gangrene is a preventable complication of inadequate pediatric trauma care.
- Fracture management must be integrated into child health programs in developing countries.
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