Complications from fractures of limbs treated by traditional medicine in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors:   Orthopedic Surgeon-Traumatologist, Department of Surgery, University Clinics of Bukavu, Faculty of Medicine, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rodrigue Mupenda Mwenibamba ,   Surgery Department, Skyborne Hospital Center in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mukakala Augustin Kibonge ,   Department of Surgery, University Clinics of Bukavu, Faculty of Medicine, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.,   Surgery Department, Skyborne Hospital Center in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo,   Resident of the Department of Surgery, University Clinics of Lubumbashi, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo., Emmanuel Mugangu Cishibanzi ,   Surgery Department, Skyborne Hospital Center in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Daniel Misona ,   Surgery department, University clinics of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ange Mufariji Rhugendabanga ,   Department of Surgery, University Clinics of Bukavu, Faculty of Medicine, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo., Christian Bisimwa Wabene ,   Department of Surgery, University Clinics of Bukavu, Faculty of Medicine, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo., Kabangu Jmv Tshimbila ,   Department of Surgery, University Clinics of Bukavu, Faculty of Medicine, Official University of Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.,   Aggrégé in medicine and professor of surgery, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Published: February 2021

Introduction: This study aimed to report fractures complications observed after traditional treatment in Bukavu. Patients and Method: This is a cross-sectional, multicentered and prospective study of a series of 73 cases of fracture complications after traditional treatment collected from 5 hospitals: University clinics of Bukavu; Skyborne Hospital Center, CIRIRI Hospital, Medicure Hospital and Panzi Hospital, from January 1st to December 31st, 2019. Data were collected on a survey form filled by patients and analyzed using Epi Info software 7.2 version. Results: The patients average age was 33.21 ± 18.08 years (range: 4 -74 years) with a sex ratio of 1.7. The group of 21-30 years old was the most affected with 21 patients (28.77%). The traffic accident was the main etiology 42 (57.53%) followed by the fall from a high place with 14 patients (19.18%). Closed fractures represented 44 cases (60.27%). The femur was more affected 18 (24, 66%). The use of traditional medicine was justified by: more effective than modern treatment 26 (35.62%), less expensive 23 (31.51%), socio-cultural beliefs 9 (12.33%) and other reasons 4 (5.48%). 39 patients (53.42%) were coming from urban areas. The complications observed were: 21 skin necrosis (28.77%), 19 vicious calluses (26.03%), 9 non-union (12.33 %), 8 infections (10.96%), 6 limb shortening (8, 22%), 5 gangrene / ischemia (6.85%), 3 joint stiffness (4.11%) and 2 delayed consolidation (2.74%). The modern treatment of these complications was based on osteosynthesis associated with an osteotomy or corticoperiosteal decortication-bone graft 28 (38.36%), skin graft 16 (21.92%) and 23 patients (31.50%) refused modern treatment despite the complication. Conclusion: The fractures traditional treatment based mainly on trial and error, practiced with inadequate means and measures without respecting the fractures treatment principles is a real source of complications that can lead to disabling disabilities.