Access to paediatric surgery: the geography of inequality in Nigeria.

Background: About 96.3 million children and adolescents aged 0-19 years reside in Nigeria, comprising 54% of the population. Without adequate access to surgery for commonly treatable diseases, many face disability and increased risk of mortality.

Small intestinal obstruction from peritoneal adhesions in children small intestinal obstruction from peritoneal adhesions in children.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of peritoneal adhesions leading to small intestinal obstruction after laparotomy in children in a tertiary paediatric surgical centre.

Methods: A retrospective review of 430 children aged <15 years who had trans-abdominal procedures over a 7 year period.

Results: Four hundred and fifty nine abdominal procedures were performed in 430 children during the study period.