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Epidemiology of clavicle shaft fractures in a public hospital in South Africa: differences between develo** and developed countries

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European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Describing the epidemiological profile of patients with acute clavicle shaft fractures in a develo** country public state hospital where mainly low- to middle-income patients are treated.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of all clavicle shaft fractures between 2008 and 2018 (10 years) based on Picture Archiving and Communication System at the second largest public hospital in South Africa.

Results

One thousand and three patients, 729 male and 274 female, were included in the epidemiological review. Most common causes of clavicle shaft fractures, in which 23% of cases presented with other injuries, were road accidents, falls and interpersonal violence. The majority of fractures were displaced and most (72%) were treated conservatively. Only 28% of patients were treated surgically, 61% with contoured plating and a relatively high 39% with intramedullary nails.

Conclusion

The epidemiology of clavicle shaft fractures in a public hospital in a develo** country, where the majority of patients hail from low- to middle-income backgrounds, differs substantially from developed countries. Although similar types of fractures were reported, differences were noted in terms of patients’ age, causes of injury, associated injuries and treatment approaches.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Academic Hospital, Francie van Zijl Drive, Clinical building, 4th floor, Tygerberg, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa

    Paul Reginald King, Maaike Maria Eken & Robert Patrick Lamberts

  2. Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

    Maaike Maria Eken

  3. Division of Biokinetics, Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Robert Patrick Lamberts

Authors
  1. Paul Reginald King
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  2. Maaike Maria Eken
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Correspondence to Robert Patrick Lamberts.

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King, P.R., Eken, M.M. & Lamberts, R.P. Epidemiology of clavicle shaft fractures in a public hospital in South Africa: differences between develo** and developed countries. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 48, 4935–4941 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-022-02029-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-022-02029-3

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