Background: An open fracture is an injury in which the fracture site and/or hematoma communicates with the external environment. It is associated with significant morbidity and disability and is a challenge to the surgical team. The lower extremities are the most often exposed to traumatic injuries compared to other anatomical parts of the body. Patterns of open fractures differ with different mechanisms of injury and the segment of the long bone affected. The correct and timely management of open fractures is beneficial to the patients and leads to a more favorable outcome. This study aimed at describing the pattern of open fractures of long bones of the lower limb treated in 3 major hospitals of the south west region, Cameroon. Methodology: This was a hospital-based retrospective review of files of patients with open fractures of long bones of the lower limb managed at the surgical units of three secondary health facilities in the South-West region of Cameroon from the 1 st of January 2015 to the 31 st of December 2019. The socio-demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, treatment modalities, and outcomes were recorded. The data was stored and analyzed using Epi info version 7.0 and SPSS version 23.0 respectively. Results: A total of 195 files of patients aged 8 to 80 years were studied. The main age group affected was between 20 -40 years. There were 147 (75.4%) males and 48 (24.6%) females giving a sex-ratio of 3.1:1. The most common cause was road traffic crashes 142 (72.8%). In 98 cases (50.3%), the left side was more involved. The tibia was the most common long bone affected in 75 (38.5%) cases. Comminuted fracture was the most common fracture pattern encountered in 126 cases (64.6%). A total of 76 (39%) fractures were graded Gustilo-Anderson IIIA.

Background: Pelvic fractures constitute about 2% -8% of all fractures. This incidence may rise up to 25% in poly-traumatised patients. These fractures have a high mortality rate due to the fact that they occur usually as a result of high energy trauma, and most of the injured are poly-traumatised with concomitant haemodynamic instability. The aim of this study is to describe the patterns of injury and complications of unstable pelvic fractures treated in a level III hospital in Cameroon. Methodology: This was a hospital based retrospective analysis of files of patients admitted and treated for unstable pelvic fractures at the Regional Hospital Limbe within a period of 10 years (from 1 st of January 2009 to 31 st of December 2018). Results: A total of 139 cases of pelvic fractures were identified, amongst which 77 were unstable; 68 were finally analyzed. The ages ranged from 18 to 80 years with a mean of 39 ± 5 years. The age group from 20 -40 years was most represented (58.88%, n = 40). There were 45 males and 23 females giving a sex-ratio of 2:1. Road traffic injuries accounted for most of the cases (73.53%, n = 50). Forty-five (66.2%) were classified Tile B and 23 (33.82%) were Tile C, and 15 cases were open fractures (22.06%). Associated lesions were recorded in 30 cases, fractures of the lower extremity being the most common (33.33%, n = 10). Most of the cases were definitively treated surgically (80.89%, n = 55). The most common complications were surgical site infections (23.64%, n = 13). Conclusion: Unstable pelvic fractures are relatively common. Young males in the age group 20 -40 years are the most affected, and the most common cause of injury was road traffic accident. Surgical site infections, pressure ulcers, severe