Outcome of surgery for toxic goitres in Maiduguri: a single teaching hospital's perspective.

Background: Thyrotoxicosis a common endocrine disorder of the thyroid gland in Nigeria is commonly treated surgically. The outcome of thyroidectomy for toxic goiters in Maiduguri Nigeria is evaluated.

Materials And Methods: Over the last 5 years (Jan 2005-July 2010) , in a prospective review, the demographic, and clinical data of patients operated for toxic goiters in our department was entered, into a predesigned proforma and analyzed.

Pattern and outcome of congenital malformations in newborn babies in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

Background: Several types of congenital malformations have been seen in our settings, but the frequencies and pattern are not known.

Objectives: To review the prevalence and pattern of congenital malformation in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, over a 10-year period.

Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out in a semi-urban Nigerian Teaching Hospital.

Acute perforated duodenal ulcer in Maiduguri: experience with simple closure and Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Background: Effective medical management of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has reduced the incidence of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) as a complication, but perforation especially in the elderly remains unchanged and is in fact on the increase. There is a changing trend in emergency surgery for perforated duodenal ulcer (PDU) from definitive anti ulcer surgery to simple closure followed by Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Objective: To present our experience in managing PDU with simple closure followed by Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Prospective randomized assessment of single versus double-gloving for general surgical procedures.

Background: There is increased tendency towards double-gloving by general surgeons in our practice, due probably to awareness of the risk of contamination with blood or other body fluids during surgery. The aim of the study was to compare the relative frequency of glove puncture in single-glove versus double glove sets in general surgical procedures, and to determine if duration of surgery affects perforation rate.

Method: Surgeons at random do single or double gloves at their discretion, for general surgical procedures.

Causes and treatment outcome of mechanical bowel obstruction in north eastern Nigeria.

Background: Mechanical bowel obstruction is one of the commonest surgical emergencies in the tropics. There has been a recent change in its commonest aetiology from external abdominal hernias to adhesions however data on the subject from this environment are lacking.

Objectives: To establish the aetiological factors, clinical presentation, treatment methods and outcome of mechanical bowel obstruction (MBO) in Maiduguri.