The epidemiology and orthopaedic burden of civilian gunshot injuries over a four-year period at a level one trauma unit in Cape Town, South Africa

Purpose The aim of this study was to quantify the overall burden of orthopaedic gunshot-related injuries at our institution over a four year period. Secondary aims included identifying complications from gunshot-related injuries and the additional burden it places on healthcare services. Methods A r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International orthopaedics 2020-10, Vol.44 (10), p.1897-1904
Main Authors: Jakoet, M. S., Burger, M., Van Heukelum, M., le Roux, N., Gerafa, M., van der Merwe, S., Makabalo, O., Ferreira, Nando
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Child
Child, Preschool
Humans
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Original Paper
Orthopedics
Retrospective Studies
South Africa - epidemiology
Trauma Centers
Wounds, Gunshot - epidemiology
Young Adult
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Summary:Purpose The aim of this study was to quantify the overall burden of orthopaedic gunshot-related injuries at our institution over a four year period. Secondary aims included identifying complications from gunshot-related injuries and the additional burden it places on healthcare services. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on all patients with gunshot injuries presenting to our hospital’s trauma unit between January 2014 and December 2017. Patient data was recorded, and demographic data, number and type of implants, blood products used, duration of hospital admission, duration of ICU admission, radiological studies performed, and prevalence of complications were analysed. Results A total of 1449 patients with a mean age of 28.2 ± 9.7 years (range 2.0–71.0) were included in this study. The majority of these gunshot-related orthopaedic injuries were sustained to the lower extremities and were treated non-operatively. The median duration of hospital stay was 7.0 (IQR 4.0–12.0). The most common complications identified were nerve injury (8.3%), vascular injury (6.5%), fracture-related infection (3.2%), non-union (3.1%), and compartment syndrome (1.6%). The total cost of care was ZAR 53,568,537 (USD 4,320,043) with an average cost per patient of ZAR 37,031 (USD 2986). Conclusion This study highlighted the burden of gunshot injuries presenting to our hospital and the strain it places on its healthcare resources. The prevalence of complications was comparable to international studies on the subject. With improved understanding of this burden, more healthcare resources can be allocated to this problem and better prevention strategies can be planned.
ISSN:0341-2695
1432-5195
DOI:10.1007/s00264-020-04723-6