Road Traffic Injuries among Patients Visiting the Emergency Department in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Road traffic injuries are preventable yet one of the most neglected public health issues. Road traffic injuries not only impact the health of the victim but also cause financial burden to the entire family. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of road traffic injuries in patients visiting the Emergency Department in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among patients visiting the Emergency Department in a tertiary care centre from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021 after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: IRC-LMC 07-J/020). Demographic information of the patients, accident profile and type of intervention at the hospital, and outcome were studied. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 8,765 patients visiting the emergency department, road traffic injuries were seen in 112 (1.28%) (1.04-1.52, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The prevalence of road traffic injuries was found to be similar to other studies conducted in a similar setting. Keywords: automobiles; demography; Nepal; soft tissue injuries; traffic accidents.

Functional Outcome Estimation of Calcaneum Fractures Treated by Open Reduction and Internal Fixation with Plate and Screws in A Tertiary Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Calcaneum fractures constitute about 60% of all tarsal bone fractures. Intra-articular fractures account for 70% of all calcaneal fractures. There are controversies regarding the operative treatment of calcaneum fractures. Therefore this study aimed to estimate the functional outcomes of calcaneum fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws. METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out at the tertiary care center in the western region of Nepal among the patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneum fractures from February 2017 to July 2020 after approval from the Institutional review committee. Convenient sampling was done to reach the sample size. Fifteen cases were included in the study. Data were recorded in proforma and Data analysis was done in the statistical package for social sciences. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Hindfoot score was used to assess the final outcome. RESULTS: According to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot scores, there were five excellent (33.33%), seven good (46.66%), two fair (13.33%) and one poor (6.66 %) results. CONCLUSIONS: In displaced intra-articular calcaneum fractures, open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws result in a good number of satisfactory outcomes with very few unsatisfactory results. Hence it can be a better option of treatment in displaced intra-articular calcaneum fractures.