title: [Surgical tetanus in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the epidemiological and clinical features and the outcome of tetanus with a surgical wound (open fracture, burn, incision, curettage, etc) as the portal of entry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis of records of patients hospitalized in the department of infectious and tropical diseases in Abidjan for surgical tetanus from 2003 to 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the 6-year study period, 29 cases were identified. They accounted for 11% of all tetanus cases admitted to the hospital: 8% from 2003 through 2006 and 14% in 2007 and 2008. The patients' average age was 36 years (range: 11-72). Most cases (86%) involved recent surgery, in both public (51%) and private (49%) health facilities. All patients had generalized tetanus at admission, and 24 (86%) paroxysms. Moderate forms predominated (69%). The lethality of tetanus in these surgical wound cases was 45%. The characteristics statistically associated with death were: age >44 years, time of hospitalization >4 days, the presence of paroxysms, and a Dakar prognosis score ≥4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The severity of surgical tetanus remains a concern for practitioners. Its high prevalence in recent years demonstrates the need to increase surgeons' awareness of tetanus prevention.
authors.affiliation: Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicale CHU de Treichville. chefaba@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Y T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Aba
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kra
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tanoh
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anoumou
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Eholié
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kakou
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bissagnené
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013742:Tetanus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult