ABSTRACT
Objective:
The objectives of the study were to describe the frequency
of neglected or mismanaged fractures in children.
Study Design:
Descriptive study
Place and Duration
of Study: The one-year 2006 at Combined Military Hospital
Lahore.
Material and Method:
All the children presenting in outdoor or in emergency with a fractured
bone were included in this study, and grouped as fresh fractures managed
either in outdoors or admitted for operative treatment and neglected
fractures coming with an obvious delay and presenting with a maluniting
or a malunited fracture. The parents of the children were questioned
according to a feedback Performa, and a pattern of various causes of
delay were ascertained.
Results :Our study included 152 children with various
fractures in our department. Out of the total, 34 children fell in the
group of neglected fractures, all requiring surgical intervention. The
study also showed the prevalent malpractices by Pehlwans (traditional
bone setters - TBS) and their aftermath seen in the patients. The
alarming ratio of children with fractures being treated by TBS due to
different reasons and later presentation with a number of problems
required operative treatment in 100% of the neglected group cannot be
overemphasized. Conclusion:
The study reflects a grave problem faced by our society, but with a
prevailing apathy, we fail to notice the predicament. Key Words:
Fracture mismanagement, fracture complications, traditional bone setters
and neglected fractures in children. |