A Prospective Study of Blunt Abdominal Trauma at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Background: Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) usually results from motor vehicle accidents, assaults, and recreational accidents or falls. This communication is a 3-year report of an ongoing study aimed at providing the current BAT prevalence in our center. It is hoped that this would assist in a better design of prevention and emergency trauma response systems to cope with this epidemic.

Skin cancers amongst four Nigerian albinos.

Background: Albinism is an established risk factor for skin cancer in black Africans, and high levels of ultraviolet radiation increase the risk of the three major forms of skin cancer.

Methods: We present four albinos with histologic diagnoses of skin cancer who were seen at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria from January 2005 to December 2006. Skin cancer in these cases was compared with the total skin cancer affecting 29 patients during the study period.

A Prospective Study of Penetrating Abdominal Trauma at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Southern Nigeria.

Background: Abdominal injuries are on the increase in both developed and developing countries. The frequency of penetrating abdominal trauma (PAT) varies across the globe because it relates to industrialization, the weapons available, and the presence of military conflicts. This study sought to evaluate the current pattern and outcome of managementof PAT in Calabar, which is undergoing rapid urbanization, and with a focus on tourism.

Major dermatologic malignancies encountered in a teaching hospital surgical department in South Nigeria.

Background: Dermatologic malignancies are among the most common form of cancer. However, dark-skinned individuals of African descent are said to be far less likely than fair-skinned individuals to develop skin cancer. Significant differences in the pattern of skin malignancy have also been observed in different regions of Africa.

A prospective study of burns trauma in children in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, south-south Nigeria.

Background: Burns are among the most devastating injuries seen in the emergency units. The epidemiology varies from one part of the world to another. This communication is a 3-year report of burns in children in an attempt to provide information on the current epidemiology of burns in this centre.

A prospective study of burn trauma in adults at the university of calabar teaching hospital, calabar (South eastern Nigeria).

Background: Burn injuries are among the most devastating injuries seen in the emergency units. The epidemiology of this injury varies from one part of the world to another. This is a 3-year report in an attempt to provide information on the current epidemiology of burns in this center.