ABSTRACT
Background: The use of minimal access techniques to achieve similar objectives as in open surgical procedures has witnessed a steady progress in the last two decades. The efficacy and safety of this mode of surgery has long been established. Medical doctors are not only members of the society; with their level of knowledge, their opinion is a strong mirror image of the pulse of the patients they treat. Aim of the study was to ascertain the knowledge, attitude, extent of practice, and factors affecting laparoscopic surgery among medical doctors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Methods: A cross sectional study of four hundred and fourteen (414) practicing medical doctors was conducted. Using stratified sampling method, self-administered semi-structured questionnaires was distributed to respondents in Port Harcourt in 2018. Data obtained was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0.Results: Knowledge of laparoscopic surgery among respondents was 89.6% (371). Three hundred and twelve respondents (75.4%) were willing to pay if such surgery is necessary and offered in Port Harcourt. Only 2.4%. of respondents asserted that laparoscopic surgery services are offered regularly in their hospital. Only 1 respondent (0.2%) was willing to pay ₦151,000.00 - 200,000.00 ($430 - $570) for commonly performed laparoscopic abdominal surgical procedures.Conclusions: Willingness to accept and knowledge of laparoscopic surgery was relatively high among medical doctors, hence a high prospect for laparoscopic surgery practice in Port Harcourt is therefore likely. The practice of laparoscopic surgery seems low and willingness to pay, even among doctors seem to be a challenge.
ABSTRACT
Background: Gastric cancer is a relatively common cancer and has been documented as the 5th commonest cancer worldwide and the 3rd leading cause of cancer death. Surgery is the treatment of choice for operable cases while chemotherapy. It has a poor prognosis with a relative overall 5-year survival rate of 18%.Methods: This is a retrospective study of all patients that presented with gastric cancer to University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2017. Data were extracted and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).Results: There were 14 males and 12 females seen within the study period making a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. Their ages ranged from 35 to 75 years with a mean of 54.7±4.8 years. The peak age incidence is in the 61-70-year age range. Four patients had curative surgery (D2 sub total gastrectomy) while 6 patients (23.1%) had D1 sub total gastrectomy. Post-operative complications occurred in 7 patients (26.9%). And the commonest was surgical site infection, seen in 4 patients (15.4%). Three patients died giving a mortality rate of 11.5%.Conclusions: Most patients with gastric cancer present with advance disease. The choice of treatment should be based on patient’s fitness, survival benefit and after an accurate assessment of extent of disease.