Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder of abnormal haemoglobin commonly encountered in the West African sub-region. It has varied osteoarticular and non-osseous complications that mimic some surgical conditions. The most common orthopaedic complications include avascular necrosis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, etc. A cautious and painstaking evaluation is required in handling these patients. Acute care and anaesthetic precautions are vital in ensuring an uneventful postoperative period.

Aim: To elucidate the pattern of presentation and management of traumatic major joint dislocations as seen in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. Method: A five-year retrospective review of 44 cases in 43 patients. Data were retrieved from the Medical Records Department of the hospital. Results: Forty-four cases of traumatic dislocations were reviewed in 43 patients. Male to female ratio was 7.6:1. Median age was 33 years. The majority of patients were in the 3 rd decade of life. Patients below 40 years accounted for 62.79% of cases. Twenty-four (55.81%) patients had hip dislocation. Knee dislocations were the least, accounting for 2.32% of cases. All cases except three resulted from road traffic accidents (RTAs). None had neurologic deficits. Nineteen (44.23%) patients had isolated injuries. 76.7% cases presented in less than 6 hours. All shoulder dislocations were anterior while all elbow dislocations were posterior. All except 3 cases were managed by closed manipulation under general anaesthesia. Two patients died from associated head injury. Fourteen patients discharged against medical advice while recuperating in the ward. Follow-up was however difficult as a significant number did not turn up. Conclusion: Hip dislocation is the commonest variety of traumatic dislocation in our setting. A majority of cases were amenable to closed manipulation and immobilization. Road traffic accidents accounted for the majority.

Pin-track infection (PTI) is a common complication of external fixation. Antimicrobial dressings of the pin-site interface should reduce the severity and incidence of PTI. This study is aimed at determining the efficacy of 1 % silver sulphadiazine dressings in preventing PTI in external fixation. We compared the incidence of PTI between group A (dry sterile gauze dressing) and group B (1 % silver sulphadiazine impregnated gauze dressing). PTI was diagnosed when there was: (1) redness around any pin-site, (2) tenderness near a pin-site and (3) serous or purulent discharge from the pin-skin interface. With infection, swab was obtained for microscopy, culture and sensitivity. Pin-track infections were diagnosed in 22.5 and 4.1 % of patients in groups A and B, respectively. This difference was statistically significant. The commonest organism isolated from swabs was Staphyloccus aureus. In patients with external fixation, 1 % silver sulphadiazine lowered PTI. This further underlines the need for antimicrobial dressings of pin-sites. We recommend the use of 1 % silver sulphadiazine impregnated ribbon gauze for pin-site dressings.Level of evidence II.

No abstract

Objective: To report the outcome of treatment of Types B2 and B3 Post- operative Periprosthetic proximal femoral fracture (PPFF) in four patients treated in Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Delta State, using Vancouver classification of Duncan and Masri. Methodology: A retrospective study of four cases managed in this hospital. Information retrieved from case notes were sex, age, duration of prosthesis, treatment given, complications and outcome of treatment. Result: Atotal of 4 patients were reviewed in the study, 2 males and 2 females with a M: F of 1: 1. Duration of the implant before treatment was 5-12 years (mean of 8.3years). Age range was 60-83years (mean of 67.5 years). Two patients had Type B2 and two had Type B3. Average intraoperative blood loss was 1 litre. Duration of surgery was 3-4 hours. Duration of hospital stay was between 3 weeks and 5 months. The complications seen were primary haemorrhage, wound infection, hip dislocation and pulmonaryembolism. The outcome was good for 3 patients and fair in 1, using Harris Hip Score. Conclusion:Vancouver classification of Duncan and Masri is effective in the treatment of PPFF. Key words; Periprosthetic femoral fracture, Long stem hip prosthesis, Vancouver classification, osteolysis.