Pattern of limb amputations in male patients in a sub-urban teaching hospital

Background: Extremity amputations represent a major disability and it is compounded by the difficulty in obtaining prosthesis in developing nations. The consequences of loss of earning abilities, particularly when the patient is the only wage earner in a large extended family is high. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of limb amputations in male patients in Irrua specialist teaching hospital, lrrua, Edo state of Nigeria.Methods: This is a retrospective review of the pattern of limb amputation surgeries in male patients in Irrua over a five year period. Data was obtained from the medical records department. Extracted data were analyzed using simple statistical method of proportions and percentages.Results: Fifty-nine male patients had sixty-four limb amputation surgeries during the study period. Median age of patients was forty-nine years. The most frequent level of amputation was below knee level in 53.1% of cases, followed by above knee in 31.2% of cases. The lower limb was involved in 92.1% of cases, the rest 7.9% involved   the upper limb. Diabetic foot disease was the commonest indication for amputation, 26 patients (40.6% of cases) followed by trauma in 23 patients (35.9% of cases). Wound infection was the most frequent post-operative complication occurring 34.4% of wounds in this study.Conclusion: Diabetic foot disease and trauma were the commonest indications. The middle aged was the most involved. Preventive measures such as education of diabetic patients on foot care, regulation of the activities of traditional bone setters, and public enlightenment on road safety rules would assist in no small measure in addressing this problem.Keywords: Pattern, male, limb amputation, Teaching Hospita

Emerging Viral Disease and Orthopaedic Surgeons: COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Background: COVID-19 is caused by novel Coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (SARS-Cov-2). It is purported to have originated from bat in Wuhan province of China in December, 2019. The epidemic spreads rapidly, reaching a pandemic proportion in January, 2020. The economic implications of the pandemic and burden on health care are enormous. We, therefore, review the impact of this disease to orthopaedic practice.Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature, using suitable keywords, such as COVID -19, viral disease, orthopaedic surgery, on the search engines of PUBMED, Google Scholar and SCOPUS in June 2020.Results: The current treatment of COVID-19 is largely supportive. Lockdown, social distancing, are among many social preventive measures that had been adopted in an attempt to halt the spread of this disease. These Social adjustments, are achieving remarkable results. Intensive monitoring is key. Profound modifications had been made in all spheres of orthopaedic practice, suspending elective surgical cases and modifying the handling of inpatients and outpatients.Conclusions: Globally, orthopaedic practice has been altered in elaborate terms, to accommodate peculiarities of this emerging viral disease, COVID-19. Whilst not neglecting the needs of our patients who depend on us for due care, strict precautions have been adopted to protect patients and health care workers or halt the spread of the disease. Key words: COVID-19, pandemic, orthopaedic surgeo