Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39984966›Full record

ArticleBMC surgery2025

Ganga hospital open injury severity score as a predictor of early failure of limb salvage among gustilo type III A and B tibia fractures in Uganda: a prospective cohort study.

Maxwel Dancan Okuku, Umaru Kabuye, Stephen Angira Khadolwa, Abubakar Mohamed Aweis, Okedi Francis Xaviour, Demoz Abraha, Charles Quealee, Anthony Ayotunde Olasinde, Ibe Michael Usman

Abstract readMulticenter Study
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Article in BMC surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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3 · Its place in the literature

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2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Maxwel Dancan OkukuDepartment of Surgery, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda. maxondonald@gmail.com.
Umaru KabuyeDepartment of Surgery, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.
Stephen Angira KhadolwaDepartment of Surgery, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.
Abubakar Mohamed AweisDepartment of Surgery, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.
Okedi Francis XaviourDepartment of Surgery, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.
Demoz AbrahaDepartment of Surgery, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.
Charles QuealeeDepartment of Surgery, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.
Anthony Ayotunde OlasindeDepartment of Surgery, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.
Ibe Michael UsmanDepartment of Human Anatomy, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite advances in antibiotic therapy and microsurgery, the management of Gustilo and Anderson type IIIA and B open tibia fractures continues to pose a considerable challenge in developing countries. This has evolved from historical immediate amputation to modern approaches that prioritize both aesthetics and functional outcomes. Nonetheless, a consensus on limb salvage versus amputation remains elusive, prompting the development of prognostic limb scoring systems. Our study assessed the predictive accuracy of the Ganga Hospital Open Injury Severity Score (GHOISS) for early failure of limb salvage in Gustilo type IIIA and B tibia injuries.

methodsThis was a prospective study that examined open tibia fractures at two tertiary hospitals in the emergency and orthopaedic units between June and October 2023. Fifty-three (26 IIIB and 27 IIIA) satisfied the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. Four injuries (type IIIA) in paediatric patients that had met the inclusion criteria were excluded from analysis to ensure homogeneity and generalizability of the results due to their small numbers. The severity of injury for each Gustilo type III A and B tibia fracture was determined using the GHOISS, and limb salvage decisions were made irrespective of the GHOISS. Follow-up was extended for up to fourteen days to assess the necessity of secondary amputation in salvaged limbs.

resultsAmong 49 Gustilo type IIIA and B tibia fractures, 43 were successfully salvaged, while 6 necessitated amputation (4 primary, 2 secondary). A GHOISS of 13 demonstrated maximum specificity (90.7%) and sensitivity (83.3%) in predicting amputation, with an AUC of 0.923 (95% CI 0.804-0.977), indicating strong discriminatory accuracy.

conclusionThe GHOISS reliably predicted outcomes in patients with Gustilo type IIIA and B tibia fractures, with a score of 13 demonstrating optimal sensitivity and specificity above which early failure of limb salvage is anticipated.

Indexed as

Fractures, OpenInjury Severity ScoreLimb SalvageTibial FracturesAdolescentAdultAmputation, SurgicalChildFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPredictive Value of TestsProspective StudiesTreatment FailureUgandaGHOISSGustilo type III tibia fracturesLimb-salvage surgery

Identifiers

PMID39984966
PMCPMC11843965

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