Scourge of Peripheral Artery Disease in a Low-Income-Setting: The Role of VascularSurgery

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a progressive disorder characterized by stenosis and/or occlusion of large and medium-sized arteries, other than those that supply the heart (coronary artery disease, CAD) or the brain (cerebrovascular disease). It is increasingly becoming a challenge in developing countries owing to poverty and ignorance. Objective: To review the scourge of peripheral artery diseases in our institution in a low-income setting with a view to determining the role of a vascular surgeon. Materials and method: Over a period of 15 years (2006 to 2021), patients with documented PAD were reviewed. Data of the patients were retrieved from the record department and such data included demography, aetiology/risk factors, clinical features and investigative parameters as well as modes of treatment especially vascular surgery. Results: There were 35 patients which comprised 20 males and 15 females with male to female ratio of 4:3. Age range affected most was 71-80 years. Aetiologically, artherosclerosis was dominant. Leriche Fontaine classification used in clinical evaluation showed that type III was dominant. 6 Ps (pain, pulselessness, paralysis, paraesthesie, pallor and poikilothermia) of vascular ischemia were evident. Doppler/duplex ultrasound and computer angiography were used in diagnosis. Medical and or surgical treatments were used in patients' management. Vascular and or orthopedic surgery played significant role. Conclusion: PAD affects the lower extremities more commonly than the upper extremity vessels especially in the elderly leading to intermittent claudicationn which is the most recognized symptomatic subset of lower extremity PAD. Morbidity and mortality emanating from inadequate revascularization are burden to emerging economy like ours.

Management of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) in a Tertiary Hospital in a low-income-country: challenges and prospects

Background: In the West African sub-region, significant morbidity and mortality are known to affect patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) but are highly under reported unlike USA, Europe or South Africa. Aim/Objective: To review cases of MPE in our tertiary hospital in the last 13 years with a view to determining the challenges and prospects. Materials and Method: This is a retrospective study spanning over a decade from January, 2007 to December, 2019. Malignant pleural effusion from various neoplasms constitutes the commonest thoracic malignancy in our tertiary hospital. After 13 years of management of such patients, we reviewed the datafrom the hospital record's department. The data obtained were demography, aetiology, total number of pleural fluid specimens for cytology and pleural biopsies submitted for histology, pleurodesis and other treatment modalities. Result: 211 patients with MPE were admitted and managed during the period under review. Of these numbers, 135(64.0%) were confirmed cytologically positive (MPE). 76(36.0%) tested falsely negative and were initially regarded as paramalignant, later confirmed MPE. The age affected was from 7 to 81 years with a mean of 44 years. Of 211 patients with MPE, 94 were males while 117 were females, with a male to female ratio of 4:5. Aetiologically, metastatic breast cancer was the highest followed by advance lung cancer. Conclusion: Submission of insufficient samples resulted in false negative cytology. Review of recurrent pleural effusion and exophytic tumour at the sites of CTTD resulted in late diagnosis of MPE. Additionally, prolonged hospital stay awaiting CTTD and cytology results are among the challenges