Overcrowding of accident & emergency units: is it a growing concern in Nigeria?

Background: The inability of the Nigeria's Accident and Emergency Departments (AED) to meet current demands is growing among the public and health care professionals. The data supporting perceptions of insufficient capacity are limited. Therefore, this study was intended to determine the prevalence, causes, and effects of overcrowding AEDs in Nigeria.

Complications of tube thoracostomy using Advanced Trauma Life Support technique in chest trauma.

Background: Tube thoracostomy (TT) is central in the management of chest trauma sufficing in over 80% of cases. As a result the procedure is commonly performed in most emergency departments.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and complications of TT using Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) technique in chest trauma.

Pediatric road traffic accident deaths presenting to a Nigerian referral center.

Introduction: Road traffic accident (RTA) is a common cause of pediatric trauma death and disability, constituting a worldwide loss of financial resources and potential manpower. This study was designed to determine the causes, prehospital care, presentation, and injuries that resulted in deaths among pediatric victims of RTA in Nigeria, and to make suggestions, based on the study data, to reduce RTA deaths.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of pediatric RTA presenting to a Nigerian referral center.

Epidemiology and pattern of paediatric and adolescent trauma deaths in a level 1 trauma centre in Benin city, Nigeria.

Background: Trauma is a common cause of death amongst children/adolescents, and data on its epidemiology and pattern are crucial for policy formulation. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology and pattern of paediatric/adolescent trauma death in a Nigerian referral trauma centre.

Methods: The clinical and autopsy data of all paediatric/adolescent trauma death at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between 1999 and 2010 were analysed in a retrospective study.

Effects of tranexamic acid on death, vascular occlusive events, and blood transfusion in trauma patients with significant haemorrhage (CRASH-2): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Tranexamic acid can reduce bleeding in patients undergoing elective surgery. We assessed the effects of early administration of a short course of tranexamic acid on death, vascular occlusive events, and the receipt of blood transfusion in trauma patients.

Methods: This randomised controlled trial was undertaken in 274 hospitals in 40 countries.

Management of splenic injuries in a university teaching hospital in Nigeria.

Background: Management of spleen injuries has undergone evolution over the past few decades.

Objective: To assess the challenges of managing splenic injuries in Nigeria.

Methods: The medical records of all adult trauma patients with documented injury of the spleen over a two-year period (2006-2008) were reviewed.

Driver-related risk factors in commercial motorcycle (okada) crashes in Benin City, Nigeria.

Introduction: There has been global concern regarding road traffic injuries. Motorcyclists constitute a high proportion of fatalities in road traffic crashes. Commercial motorcyclists (Okadas) constitute a unique group in this regard.

Falls from heights: epidemiology and pattern of injury at the accident and emergency centre of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Background: Knowledge of the epidemiology and the pattern of injury sustained following falls from heights may be crucial in formulating policy aimed at prevention and improved outcome of victims. This study aims to determine the epidemiology and the spectrum of injury sustained following falls from heights at a referral trauma centre in a developing country.

Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of cases of falls from heights between June 2007 and May 2008 at the Accident and Emergency Center of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Compliance with seat belt use in Benin City, Nigeria.

Introduction: Trauma is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. A quarter of all fatalities due to injury occur due to road traffic crashes with 90% of the fatalities occurring in low- and medium-income countries. Poor compliance with the use of seat belts is a problem in many developing countries.

Haemorheological changes in African breast cancer patients.

Several studies have indicated the existence of thrombo-embolic complications in cancer patients and that this could be associated with changes in heamorheological parameters. Packed cell volume (PCV), heamoglobin (Hb), relative plasma viscosity (RPV) and plasma Fibrinogen concentration (PFC) were measured in 50 healthy control women, 50 age-matched women with breast cancer, and 10 women with histophathologically proven benign breast tumour. There were significant differences between the controls and breast cancer patients in all the parameters measured (p < 0.

Patterns of trauma deaths in an accident and emergency unit.

Introduction: Trauma is a leading cause of death in most countries. Different patterns of trauma deaths are recorded in different countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the pattern of trauma deaths in the emergency unit of a University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.

Risk of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis C virus in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Objectives: To evaluate the risk of probable iatrogenic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection following transfusion of donor blood that has not been screened for HCV.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Methods: Screening for human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus is routine in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.