Assessment of contributing factors to traumatic femoral shaft fractures

Abstract EN

Objective : To assess the contributing factors to traumatic femoral shaft fractures and their relation to outcomes of traumatic femoral shaft fractures through identifying the complications, level of daily living activities (DLAs), the period of hospitalization and the discharge status of the patient.

Methodology : A descriptive study was conducted in the Surgical Specialty Hospital in Baghdad from 15th February 2008 to 15th October 2008.

A purposive "non-probability" sample of (50) traumatic femoral shaft fractures patients was consecutively admitted to the orthopedic ward in Surgical Specialty Hospital.

A questionnaire was constructed for the purpose of the study, which is comprised of three parts that included 1- sociodemographic and clinical data, 2- contributing factors, and 3-outcomes of traumatic femoral shaft fractures.

The data was collected by the application of the questionnaire, the interview technique, observation and the patients' sheets Results : The findings of the study indicated that there was a highly significant difference increase in males (84 %) more than females (16 %), employees (66 %) more than non-employees (34 %), high percentage (26 %) of fractures in age group (31-40) years, (92 %) of fractures in urban residence, (42 %) of fractures in upper third of femur shaft, (88 % ) open fracture.

Missiles (50 %) more than road traffic accidents (RTA) (26 %) and more than falls (24 %), but there was no significant difference between shells (26 %) and gunshots (24 %) although there is an increased incidence in shells than gunshots.

Patients to the percentage of 90 % were discharge from the hospital in stable state.

Recommendations : Based on the results of the present study, the researcher recommends the following : Enforce the law of safe driving to prevent unlicensed driving of reckless drivers, punish divers with excess alcohol, and force using seat belts.

The security conditions should be improved by the government.