Traumatic extremity amputation in a Nigerian setting: patterns and challenges of care

We aimed to determine the epidemiological pattern and highlight challenges of managing traumatic amputation in our environment.

This was a ten-year retrospective study of all the patients with traumatic extremity amputation seen in Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital and Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki from January 2001 to December 2010.

There were 53 patients with 58 amputations studied. There was a male to female ratio of 3:1 and the mean age was 32.67 ± 1.54 years. Amputations were more prevalent in the rainy season. Road traffic accident was the predominant causative factor and accounted for about 57% of amputations. A majority of the patients (81.4%) had no pre-hospital care and none of the amputated parts received optimum care. Three patients underwent re-attachment of amputated fingers and one was successful. Wound infection (in 56.6% of patients) was the most common complication observed. Overall mortality was 7.5% and all were due to complications of amputations.

Appropriate injury prevention mechanisms based on the observed patterns are needed. Educational campaigns for prevention should be intensified during the rainy season and directed toward young men. Measures aimed at improving pre-hospital care of patients and optimum care of amputated parts is an important aspect to be considered in any developmental programme of replantation services in the sub-region.