Gunshot injuries: experience in a tertiary health facility in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.

Introduction: the incidence of gunshot injuries and its negative socio-economic impact has assumed an alarming dimension in our environment in recent times as a result of increase in various criminal activities arising largely from poverty including armed robbery, insurgencies, banditry, kidnappings, political thuggery and the like. We share our experience in our centre.

Methods: a retrospective study of cases of gunshot injuries seen, admitted and managed at our health facility over a three-year period.

Open fractures: epidemiological pattern, initial management and challenges in a sub-urban teaching hospital in Nigeria.

Introduction: Management of open fractures poses a constant challenge to Orthopaedic surgeons in Nigeria. Our aim is to determine the epidemiological pattern of open fractures in our centre and share our experiences on the initial management and problems encountered.

Methods: This was an 18 month prospective study of patients that presented with open fractures at our emergency room.

Complications of traditional bone setters (TBS) treatment of musculoskeletal injuries: experience in a private setting in Warri, South-South Nigeria.

Introduction: Complications arising from the practice of traditional bone setting is a major contributor to the challenges the orthodox orthopaedic practitioner in Nigeria faces. We share our experience at a multi-specialist private health facility in Warri, South-south, Nigeria.

Methods: Case notes of patients with musculoskeletal injuries who had prior treatment by traditional bone setters with resulting complications before presenting at our health facility for treatment were reviewed and relevant information extracted and entered in an already prepared proforma.

An epidemiological study of the burden of trauma in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Background: Trauma leads to considerable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to elucidate the pattern and characteristics of trauma at Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: Case records of all patients who presented to the Accident and Emergency (A and E) Department with trauma between January and December 2013 were analyzed for demographic data, types of injuries sustained, causes and circumstances of injuries, as well as outcome of treatment were extracted from the case files and entered onto a computerized questionnaire.