Internal fixation at ECWA Hospital, Egbe, Kogi State, Nigeria

Forty two (42) cases of fractures treated by internal fixation at Egbe Hospital ECWA, Kogi State, Nigeria were analysed retrospectively. Most of the patients requiring internal fixation were young male patients in their reproductive years 26 patients were under 50 years of age out of which 22 patients were males (84.6%) whilst only 4 patients (15.4%) were females. Internal fixation was found to be commoner in males: 31 patients (73.8%) than in females: 11 patients (26.2%). Fractures requiring internal fixation are commoner in the lower limbs than in the upper limbs (Ratio 6:1). The femur is the commonest site of internal fixation, 22 cases (54.2%) followed by the tibia, 6 cases (14.3%). Majority of the patients, 28 cases (67%) left the hospital under 50 days whereas when treated conservatively most will be in the hospital for up to 100 days. Only about 60% of the cases require blood transfusion and even a more cautious approach could reduce this percentage. 13 (31%) of the cases had fever post-operatively which was not necessarily due to infection. Based on its advantages, internal fixation is therefore encouraged and should only be performed by a surgeon who has adequate experience, equipment, instruments and a good operating theatre setting.