Trend over time for cholecystectomy following the introduction of laparoscopy in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: There still exist some concerns about the desirability of laparoscopic surgery in lower-middle income countries. We recently adopted laparoscopy for common general surgical procedures and observed many benefits. This study aims to describe the changing rate of cholecystectomy before and after the introduction of laparoscopy in our hospital. Methods: We reviewed the records of cholecystectomies performed before and after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in 2009 in a single general surgery unit of the Ife Hospital Unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Cholecystectomy was reviewed as a percentage of general procedures performed, and postoperative length of stay was calculated. Results: A total of 173 cholecystectomies were performed in the hospital between January 2005 and December 2015. The yearly number rose from 7 in 2005 to 31 in 2015 corresponding to 2.7% of total elective major general surgery procedures in 2005 and 9.1% in 2015. A marked progressive increase was observed in the number and rate of cholecystectomies from 2009 following introduction of LC. From 0% in 2005, LC rose to 90% of all cholecystectomies in 2015. The mean postoperative length of stay of patients undergoing cholecystectomy declined from 5.2 days in 2005 to 3 days in 2009 and 1.8 days in 2015. Conclusion: This study demonstrates an increased rate of cholecystectomy following the introduction of LC in our setting. We recommend increased adoption of laparoscopy and other forms of minimally invasive surgery across the country

Paradox of wellness and nonadherence among Nigerian women on breast cancer chemotherapy.

CONTEXT: Intentional nonadherence among cancer patients is rare and may occur only when the benefits of treatment are not obvious to the patient. Aims: To highlight a group of women on chemotherapy for breast cancer who defaulted from their medications because they were improving. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A study was carried out of the reasons for nonadherence to medications among women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer at a Nigerian teaching hospital between January 1993 and December 2002. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of patients' records was done. RESULTS: Of the 188 women who received chemotherapy during the study period, 152 (80.9%) defaulted from treatment at one point or another. The reasons for nonadherence were available in 101 patients. Among these, 18 (18.0%) reported nonadherence because they felt better after commencing chemotherapy. They were aged 31-50 years (Mean = 35.6 (SD3.2)). Six (33.3%) of them presented in AJCC Stage I, and 10 (55.6%) in stage II. Age and disease stage at presentation were found to have significant influence on their reason for nonadherence. Of the nine women on neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, six (66.7%) had complete response but defaulted and five (55.6%) re-presented within a year with metastatic disease. Three of the patients receiving systemic post-surgery chemotherapy presented within a year with local recurrence. Most of the other patients were subsequently lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Nonadherence due to wellness among breast cancer patients is associated with poor outcome. We propose a detailed prospective study to establish factors that may influence such behavior.