ABSTRACT
A retrospective study of 69 cases of intususception treated at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt in the past seven years from October, 1985 to September, 1992 is presented. The diagnosis was made clinically and confirmed at operation. Fifty (72.5%) of the 69 patients belonged to the three to nine month age group. There was a male preponderance; male to female ratio 3.6:1. The classic triad of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and abdominal mass occurred in only 11 patients (15.9%). All 69 patients had laparotomy as reduction using barium enema was not attempted. Of the 35 patients who required resection 27 (77.1%) had gangrenous bowel and 2 (2.8%) had perforation as well. Mortality was 11.6%. The high mortality rate appears to be related to the long interval between onset of symptoms and commencement of definitive treatment.
Subject(s)
Intussusception/epidemiology , Population Surveillance , Age Factors , Female , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Intussusception/complications , Intussusception/diagnosis , Intussusception/therapy , Male , Nigeria/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Sex Factors , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Fifty seven children with thoracic empyema (37 boys and 20 girls) aged less than 12 years were seen at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between January 1989 and December 1991. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated from the pus of these patients (36 (63%) patients). Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the next most common organism, was isolated in 10 (18%) patients. The most common symptoms at presentation were acute illness with fever and cough (51 (89%) patients). All the patients were treated with closed intercostal tube drainage and appropriate antibiotics. Decortication was resorted to in only one patient. There were two deaths and the overall survival rate was 97%.
Subject(s)
Empyema, Pleural/microbiology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Combined Modality Therapy , Empyema, Pleural/drug therapy , Empyema, Pleural/surgery , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Prospective Studies , Pseudomonas Infections/complications , Staphylococcal Infections/complications , ThoracostomyABSTRACT
A retrospective study of 69 cases of intussusception treated at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, in the past seven years from October 1985 to September 1992 is presented. The diagnosis was made clinically and confirmed at operation. Fifty (72.5%) of the 69 patients belonged to the three to nine-month age group. There was a male preponderance, with a male to female ratio of 3.6:1. The classic triad of abdominal pain, vomiting and rectal bleeding occurred in only 11 (15.9%) patients. All 69 patients had laparotomy as reduction using barium enema was not attempted. Of the 35 patients who required resection, 27 (77.1%) had gangrenous bowel and 2 (2.8%) had perforation. Mortality was 11.6%. The high mortality rate appears to be related to the long interval between onset of symptoms and commencement of definitive treatment.
Subject(s)
Intussusception/epidemiology , Population Surveillance , Abdominal Pain/epidemiology , Abdominal Pain/etiology , Barium Sulfate , Child , Child, Preschool , Enema , Female , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/epidemiology , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Intussusception/complications , Intussusception/diagnosis , Intussusception/physiopathology , Intussusception/surgery , Male , Nigeria/epidemiology , Rectum , Sex Ratio , Time Factors , Vomiting/epidemiology , Vomiting/etiologyABSTRACT
In search of a cheaper and effective dressing solution for ulcers, 53 patients presenting with various types of ulcers at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital were treated with different strengths hypertonic saline 0.3, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 2 and 3 osmoles. The ages of the ulcers were between 3 months and 3 years. Optimal results were obtained with solution of 1.5 mmols and above. Desloughing occurred within 2 weeks and granulation was fast and good enough for skin grafting where necessary. Healing was faster in other ulcers that were not due for grafting.
Subject(s)
Saline Solution, Hypertonic/therapeutic use , Skin Ulcer/drug therapy , Administration, Cutaneous , Humans , Osmolar Concentration , Saline Solution, Hypertonic/administration & dosage , Saline Solution, Hypertonic/pharmacology , Skin Transplantation , Skin Ulcer/etiology , Skin Ulcer/physiopathology , Skin Ulcer/surgery , Therapeutic Irrigation , Wound HealingABSTRACT
Seven patients with varying degrees of paradoxical chest wall movement (flail chest) were managed conservatively at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital with frusemide, methylprednisolone, non administration of crystalloid fluids and limitation of fluid intake. Patients showed considerable improvement within the first 24-48 hours which was sustained throughout the period of management. All seven survived and showed no signs of respiratory distress in the resting state or while performing simple exercise. One patient however had slight to moderate chestwall deformity.
Subject(s)
Clinical Protocols/standards , Flail Chest/therapy , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Chest Tubes , Flail Chest/diagnostic imaging , Flail Chest/physiopathology , Furosemide/therapeutic use , Hospitals, University , Humans , Male , Methylprednisolone/therapeutic use , Nigeria , Radiography , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
This is a report of diverticular disease of the colon in three Nigerian adult siblings. Diverticular disease of the colon is known to be rare in Nigerians. Presence of this disease in a large number of a particular family raises the possibility of a familial tendency or some other undefined underlying abnormality. The three siblings have spent some years in the industrialized world. Our anecdotal experience however shows that the prevalence of diverticular disease of the colon may be on the increase in Nigeria.
Subject(s)
Diverticulum, Colon/genetics , Diverticulum, Colon/epidemiology , Diverticulum, Colon/pathology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , NigeriaABSTRACT
Suprapubic transabdominal prostatic sonography was performed at two Nigerian centers over the past year. All abnormal glands were found enlarged. Capsular, periprostatic and extra-organ features helped to segregate carcinomas from benign diseases. Gland shape and internal texture were less useful criteria. Prostatic sonography has great promise in developing and fragile economies, where other efficacious and contemporary imaging modalities are unaffordable.
