Typhoid perforation in children: an unrelenting plague in developing countries.

Introduction: Despite global scientific development, typhoid fever and subsequent typhoid perforation have continued to be common in developing countries. The aim of this study was to re-evaluate the pattern of presentation and management outcomes as well as morbidity and mortality of typhoid perforation among children.

Methodology: Children aged 15 years and under with clinical diagnosis of typhoid perforation were retrospectively studied by reviewing their hospital records between January 2006 and December 2015.

Primary versus delayed primary closure of laparotomy wounds in children following typhoid ileal perforation in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Background: The optimal management strategy for dirty abdominal wounds has yet to be determined, but studies indicate that delayed primary closure (DPC) may be a reliable method of reducing surgical site infection (SSI) rate in these wounds. In this study, of dirty laparotomy wounds following typhoid ileal perforation (TIP), the SSI rate, incidence of wound dehiscence, and length of hospital stay (LOS) are compared in wounds primarily closed to those closed in the delayed primary fashion.

Patients And Methods: The study was conducted over a 12-month period.

Syndromic anorectal malformation associated with Holt-Oram syndrome, microcephaly, and bilateral corneal opacity: a case report.

Background: The occurrence of an anorectal malformation with Holt-Oram syndrome, microcephaly, and bilateral corneal opacity is rare and to the best of our knowledge has not previously been reported in the literature. Hence, there is a need to document our experience in this case and learn as much as possible from it.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a Nigerian female neonate with a postnatal diagnosis of syndromic anorectal malformation associated with Holt-Oram syndrome, microcephaly, and bilateral corneal opacity.

Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome: A Case Report in an Adolescent Nigerian Boy.

Aim: This is to report a case of Klippel Trenauay Weber syndrome in a fifteen year old Nigerian boy. This is a rare syndrome and it is the first case to be reported in UCTH Calabar.

Case Presentation: Product of a full term uneventful pregnancy, delivered to non-consanguineous apparently healthy parents.

Utilization of banked blood in pediatric surgical procedures in Calabar, Nigeria.

Background: Performing major surgery in a child demands that blood is cross-matched and saved to be transfused as indicated. Because the cost of cross-matching and donation of blood can be enormous and may equal or surpass the cost of surgery in our setting, it is pertinent to evaluate its utilization. The aim of this study was to determine how banked blood meant for pediatric surgical procedures was utilized with the hope of streamlining our blood requisition policy.

Intussusception in children: Comparison between ultrasound diagnosis and operation findings in a tropical developing country.

Background: Intussusception is one of the more common causes of intestinal obstruction in children. The diagnosis may be based mainly on clinical features; however, there are no classic signs and symptoms that are common to all cases. This study reports our experience at US diagnosis and operation findings of children with intussusceptions in a tropical developing economy.

Pediatric trauma in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges in overcoming the scourge.

All over the world, pediatric trauma has emerged as an important public health problem. It accounts for the highest mortality in children and young adults in developed countries. Reports from Africa on trauma in the pediatric age group are few and most have been single center experience.

Evaluation of cosmetic appearance of herniotomy wound scars in African children: Comparison of tissue glue and subcuticular suturing.

Aim: To evaluate the cosmetic appearance of herniotomy wound scars closed using either the tissue glue or subcuticular suturing technique.

Materials And Methods: Prospective randomised control study; randomisation into tissue glue and suturing groups. Ethical clearance obtained.

Dicephalus parapagus conjoined twins discordant for anencephaly: a case report.

Introduction: Cases of conjoined twins occur so rarely that it is important to learn as much as possible from each case.

Case Presentation: We present a case of 9-hour-old, female, Nigerian dicephalus parapagus conjoined twins discordant for anencephaly diagnosed only after the birth of the twins. The anencephalic twin was stillborn while the normal one died within 9 hours of birth from cardiopulmonary failure.

Day case surgery in Nigerian children: influence of social circumstances of patients.

Background: In order to achieve good results in day surgery and avoid pitfalls, selection of appropriate procedures and patients is required with attention given to the social circumstances among other considerations. The aim of this prospective study therefore was to evaluate the influence of the social circumstances of the patients on the performance of day surgery practice in our environment.

Method: This was a prospective study carried out between April, 2004 and December, 2004, during which time 88 children aged 15 years and below with uncomplicated inguinal hernias were treated at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC).

Outcome of primary closure of abdominal wounds following typhoid perforation in children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Background: Abdominal wounds following surgery for typhoid perforation are classified as dirty, with an infection rate of over 40%. To date, the optimal method for closure of these wounds remains controversial. Delayed primary closure which was conventionally recommended as standard practice, is now considered to be of no value in preventing surgical site infection (SSI).

Epidemiology of external birth defects in neonates in Southwestern Nigeria.

Background: There is paucity of information on the prevalence of birth defects in Nigeria, particularly in our setting. This study determined the epidemiology of external congenital anomalies in Southwest Nigerian children.

Patients And Methods: This was a stratified, randomized study of neonates presenting with external birth defects in Ife-Ijesha in Southwestern Nigeria, from August 2003 to July 2004.

The role of preoperative antibiotics in the prevention of wound infection after day case surgery for inguinal hernia in children in Ile Ife, Nigeria.

Purpose: Day case surgery for inguinal hernia had been an established practice of the Paediatric Surgery Unit, OAUTHC, Ile Ife for about two decades. In a retrospective review of the practice from the same center, a high incidence of postoperative wound infection was noted, which was attributed to the poor personal hygiene of the patients. This prospective study, therefore, was performed to evaluate the role of a single dose of preoperative antibiotic (using gentamicin) in the prevention of these wound infections after day case surgery for inguinal hernia in children.

Day case inguinal hernia surgery in Nigerian children: prospective study.

Background: There has been an increase in day case surgery for children worldwide, but there have been few reports of the practice (most of them being retrospective) by many of the surgical sub-specialties in the sub-region. The aim of this study was to document our experience with day case inguinal hernia surgery in a developing economy.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective study of uncomplicated inguinal hernias treated as day case at OAUTHC between April 2004 and December 2004.

Post-operative symptoms at home in children following day case surgery.

Background: This prospective questionnaire-based study examined the post-operative symptoms encountered by children who had day case surgery at a dedicated day case surgery unit. The study evaluated the postoperative symptoms at home. The parents also evaluated the instructions given in the hospital for care at home.