Body size and abnormal lipids among adult patients at the Baptist Medical centre, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Background: In many developing countries overweight, obesity and obesity-related morbidity are becoming a problem of increasing importance. Obese individuals are more likely to have elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of obesity using the measure of body mass index (BMI) and abnormal lipid level and the association between obesity and abnormal lipid level among adults in Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Gram stain microbiological pattern of upper extremities suppuration at Baptist Medical Centre, Ogbomoso Nigeria: a fifteen month review.

Sixty-eight (68) patients with serious upper extremity suppurative infections, presenting within a period of fifteen (15) months, were prospectively studied clinically, Gram stain of aspirates/pus were performed, specimen cultured, planted, and where indicated glucose levels and haemoglobin genotype determined. Half of the patients had hand infections. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from thirty-nine (39) patients.

Tetanus: continuing problem in the developing world.

Despite diligent efforts by the World Health Organization and the governments of developing world countries, tetanus persists as a global health problem. This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the outcome for victims of tetanus presenting to the Baptist Medical Centre in Ogbomoso, Nigeria and to develop better management techniques for future patients. Sixty patients (46 males, 14 females) with nonneonatal tetanus were seen over a 5-year period (1995-1999).

Gastric outlet obstruction in Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Forty-three patients were operated upon for gastric outlet obstruction over an eight year period. Six (14%) of these patients bad malignant gastric outlet obstruction. Three groups of procedures were used: truncal vagotomy and drainage (TV-D) in 32 patients, highly selective vagotomy and drainage (HSV-I)) in 8 patients, and gastric resection with or without vagotomy in 3 patients.

Complications of fracture treatment by traditional bonesetters in southwest Nigeria.

Background: Traditional bonesetters (TBS) practice widely in Nigeria.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the types of complications seen in patients previously treated by TBS and to assess factors that may predispose to the complications.

Methods: We carried out a prospective non-randomized controlled study in a general hospital in southwest Nigeria.

Amputations in general practice.

A retrospective review was carried out, of cases of amputation, which were performed between 1985 and 1999 at the Baptist Medical Centre, Ogbomoso with the aims of documenting our experience and complications. The majority of the operations were performed by trainee family practitioners. There was a preponderance of males (M/F ratio of 1.

Incidence of umbilical hernia in African children: redefinition of "normal" and reevaluation of indications for repair.

This study was undertaken to assess the degree of ubiquity of umbilical hernias (UHs) in Nigerians and to determine if a laissez faire approach to the presence of UHs is justified. A prospective evaluation was conducted of the umbilical area of 4052 Nigerians living in the vicinity of the Baptist Medical Centre (BMCO) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. The diameter of the fascial defect was measured with the subject supine and the protrusion of the umbilical skin with the subject erect.

Prospective randomized comparison of two preoperative skin preparation techniques in a developing world country.

Povidone-iodine (PI) is a scarce and expensive item for some hospitals in developing countries. This prospective, randomized study was performed at Baptist Medical Centre (BMCO) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria to determine if the use of PI for preoperative skin preparation would result in a lower postoperative wound infection rate and to identify other factors influencing the infection rate. Two hundred patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair were randomized to receive skin preparation with either: (1) locally available, inexpensive market soap and methylated spirit or (2) imported PI.

Operative management of thyroid abnormalities in a general medical practice hospital in sub-Saharan Africa.

This is a retrospective analysis of 82 patients undergoing thyroid operations in a general medical practice hospital in sub-Saharan Africa. All patients complained of neck swelling, and in 75% of patients this was the only symptom. Indications for operation included cosmesis in 74%, suspected malignancy in 13%, hyperthyroidism in 7% and pressure symptoms in 5%.

Ketamine : A safe and effective anesthetic agent for children in the developing world.

Ketamine is used extensively in the developing world (DW) because of its effectiveness, availability, relatively low cost, and presumed safety. This report is a prospective, objective assessment of the efficacy and safety of ketamine when used as the sole anesthetic agent in a general medical practice hospital in the DW in children less than 16 years of age undergoing nonemergent operative procedures. Children undergoing laparotomy, thoracotomy, or craniotomy were excluded.

The outcome of suprapubic prostatectomy: a contemporary series in the developing world.

Objectives: To assess the appropriateness of the technique of suprapubic prostatectomy using a removable bladder neck partition suture for use in a developing world hospital and to provide contemporary open prostatectomy outcome data currently lacking in the world's literature.

Methods: From 1984 to 1994, 240 consecutive patients presenting to a developing world hospital with acute urinary retention underwent suprapubic prostatectomy using a removable bladder neck partition suture. The average length of time from bladder decompression until operation was 2.