Retrospective Analysis of Mathieu's Urethroplasty for Anterior Hypospadias Repair in Circumcised Children: a Single Center Experience

Introduction: Mathieu's technique (peri-meatal based flap) makes use of the urethral plate in the repair of anterior hypospadias; thereby creating an almost natural neo-urethra. In a circumcised baby or after previous unsuccessful repair; Mathieu's flap may be one of the few options left to repair anterior hypospadias. Objectives: To evaluate the result of Mathieu's flap repair for anterior hypospadias in a resource poor setting.Materials and Method: This is a retrospective review of post-circumcision anterior hypospadias managed by Mathieu's flap repair between January 1996 and December 2006 in the paediatric surgical unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital; a tertiary hospital in the South Western Nigeria. Results: Mathieu's flap repair was performed in 16 patients with isolated anterior hypospadias; 15 (93.8) were circumcised before presentation. The complications were urethrocutaneous fistula in 3 (18.8); wound infection in 2 (12.5) and flap necrosis in 1 patient (6.3). Final outcome was satisfactory in all patients. Conclusion: Mathieu's flap remains a viable option in the repair of anterior hypospadias even after circumcision

Experience with transverse preputial island flap for repair of hypospadias in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with the use of transverse preputial island flap in the repair of hypospadias in the paediatric surgical unit of our University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the cases of hypospadias managed by transverse preputial island flap repair over a ten year period (1996 and 2006) in the paediatric surgical unit of our institution. Data was retrieved from the case notes and analysed. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients had hypospadias repair during the period, 22 of whom were by transverse preputial island flap repair. Hypospadisas were in penile shaft in 16 (72.7%), penoscrotal in 5 (22.7%) and perineal in 1 (4.55%). All the patients had intact prepuce at presentation and chordee was present in 18 (81.8%). The commonest complication was urethrocutaneous fistula in five patients, which closed spontaneously in three leaving 2 patients (9.1%) with persistent urethrocutaneous fistular. CONCLUSION: Transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty remains a viable option in the management of hypospadias especially when the meatal opening is proximal, with associated chordee limiting the options in the repair.

Challenges of Surgical Repair of Hypospadias in Ile-Ife; Nigeria

Objective: To document the presentation; outcome and challenges of management of hypospadias in a resource-limited setting. Patients and Methods: For this retrospective study we analyzed the files of all patients with hypospadias managed at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital; Ile-Ife; Nigeria between 1996 and 2006. The parameters studied were the patients' bio-data; clinical presentation; treatment and outcome. Results: During the 10-year period under review 51 cases of hypospadias were managed. The majority of the patients (n=39; 76.5) presented within the first year of life with a mean age at presentation of 1 year and 8 months; though most of the repairs were done in the 2nd; 3rd and 4th years of life. Of the 51 patients 46 (90.2) came from rural and semi-urban areas and 18 (35.3) had been circumcised before presentation. Surgical repair consisted of preputial island flap in 22 patients (43.1) followed by a peri-meatal based flap (Mathieu procedure) in 16 patients (31.4). The MAGPI procedure was used in 5 patients (9.8) and the Snodgrass procedure in 1 (2). Staged repair was necessary in 7 patients (13.7). Post-operative complications were encountered in 15 patients with urethrocutaneous fistula being the commonest one (11 patients; 21.6). Conclusion: Our results show that hypospadias can be successfully managed in a low- resource setting

Meconium peritonitis in Nigerian children.

BACKGROUND: Meconium peritonitis is a rare disease with a fatal outcome. In Nigeria and Africa, there are only the occasional case reports on the subject matter. METHODS: This is a 10-year retrospective study of all patients with meconium peritonitis treated at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos State, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State and the Federal Medical Centre Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria. RESULTS: There were 10 neonates comprising 6 girls and 4 boys. The median age at presentation was 4 days (range 2-6 days). Six of the mothers of the children with meconium peritonitis had a supervised antenatal care and 4 had antenatal ultrasonography but meconium peritonitis was missed. The most common clinical presentation was abdominal distension at birth in 9 of 10 patients. The abdominal X-rays showed calcification and homogenous opacity in 4 patients and pneumoperitoneum in 2 patients. At laparotomy, all the patients had inflammatory adhesion bands and matted bowel loops. The generalized type was the commonest form observed (7 patients) and giant pseudocyst was noted in 2 patients. The commonest sites of perforation were the ileum in 4 patients and jejunum in 3 patients. In one patient the perforation had sealed at laparotomy. Intestinal obstruction was the commonest cause of meconium peritonitis in 7 of 10 patients. In the remaining 3 patients the cause is unknown. The commonest procedure performed was resection and anastomosis (4 patients). The mortality rate was high (50%). CONCLUSION: Our data revealed the rarity of meconium peritonitis and intestinal obstruction as the commonest cause. It is recommended that in patients with an unidentifiable cause a rectal biopsy should be done to rule out Hirschsprung's disease. Early diagnosis, proper operative procedure and meticulous post-operative care should improve their survival.

Meconium peritonitis in nigerian children

Background: Meconium peritonitis is a rare disease with a fatal outcome. In Nigeria and Africa; there are only the occasional case reports on the subject matter. Methods: This is a 10-year retrospective study of all patients with meconium peritonitis treated at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; Maiduguri; Borno State; the Lagos University Teaching Hospital; Lagos State; Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals complex; Ile-Ife; Osun State and the Federal Medical Centre Gombe; Gombe State; Nigeria. Results: There were 10 neonates comprising 6 girls and 4 boys. The median age at presentation was 4 days (range 2-6 days). Six of the mothers of the children with meconium peritonitis had a supervised antenatal care and 4 had antenatal ultrasonography but meconium peritonitis was missed. The most common clinical presentation was abdominal distension at birth in 9 of 10 patients. The abdominal X- rays showed calcification and homogenous opacity in 4 patients and pneumoperitoneum in 2 patients. At laparotomy; all the patients had inflammatory adhesion bands and matted bowel loops. The generalized type was the commonest form observed (7 patients) and giant pseudocyst was noted in 2 patients. The commonest sites of perforation were the ileum in 4 patients and jejunum in 3 patients. In one patient the perforation had sealed at laparotomy. Intestinal obstruction was the commonest cause of meconium peritonitis in 7 of 10 patients. In the remaining 3 patients the cause is unknown. The commonest procedure performed was resection and anastomosis (4 patients).The mortality rate was high (50). Conclusion: Our data revealed the rarity of meconium peritonitis and intestinal obstruction as the commonest cause. It is recommended that in patients with an unidentifiable cause a rectal biopsy should be done to rule out Hirschsprung's disease. Early diagnosis; proper operative procedure and meticulous post-operative care should improve their survival

Management of oesophageal foreign bodies in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pattern and outcome of management of retained oesophageal foreign bodies in children. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, January 1991 to December 2000. SUBJECTS: One hundred and eight paediatric patients, aged 0-14 years managed for retained oesophageal foreign bodies. INTERVENTION: The foreign bodies were removed endoscopically, using either a larynoscope or a rigid oesophagoscope, under general anaesthesia. RESULTS: There were 108 patients, with a mean age of 3.0 +/- 0.8 years and age range of 23 days to 14 years. The male to female ratio was 1.5: 1. Sixty four (59.3%) patients were within 1-5 year age group. Coins constituted 79.6% of the retained foreign bodies. Over 90% of patients presented within the first four days of the incidence. The dominant complaints were drooling of saliva in 37 (40.2%) and difficulty in swallowing in 35 (38.1%) patients. The commonest sites of the foreign body retention were the upper third of oesophagus 52(48.2%) and the hypopharynx 36(33.3%). The main complications following the foreign body removal were oesophageal perforations 4(3.7%) and lacerations 16(15%). CONCLUSION: Retained oesophageal foreign body is a common childhood health hazard. Early diagnosis and prompt skillful removal are necessary for a satisfactory outcome.