African Journals Online
Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research

VOLUME 2 NUMBER 2 APRIL - JUNE 2000
Abstracts

Animals in Medical Research 

K. B. Kadima and I. Hamman 

Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
(Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2: 43 - 47)


Pattern of Abdominal Trauma in North Eastern Nigeria 

D. Dogo, T. Yawe, A.W. Hassan and B. Tahir

Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences University of Maiduguri and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri



ABSTRACT

Fifty patients treated for abdominal trauma at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between 1990 and 1997 were studied. Twenty three (46%) of these patients had penetrating abdominal injuries while 27 (54%) had blunt abdominal trauma. The overall peak age at risk was 21-30 years. Road traffic accident (RTA) accounted for 74% of blunt injury while gunshot injury accounted for 57% of the penetrating injuries. All those who had haemodynamic instability or had penetrating abdominal injuries had emergency exploratory laparotomy or wound exploration and definitive management depended on findings. Splenic rupture was the commonest intraabdominal injury in the blunt trauma group and these patients had slenectomy. Overall mortality rate was 10% and these were among those with haemodynamic instability at presentation. (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:48-51)

KEY WORDS: Abdominal trauma, North Eastern Nigeria.


Appendicitis in Pregnancy: A report from Zaria, Nigeria.

L. Khalid, *D.I. Ifenne, **S.M. Shehu and ** A.H. Rafindadi

Departments of Surgery, *Obstetrics & Gynaecology and ** Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria 


ABSTRACT

In a retrospective review of 21 pregnant patients who had appendicectomy for suspicion of appendicitis, 18 had histological confirmation while 2 had lymphoid hyperplasia and 1 was normal, giving a negative appendicectomy rate of 14.3%. The incidence of confirmed appendicitis in pregnancy was 1:1,236 deliveries. Of the 18 patients, 5 had complications of the disease (mass 3, perforation 2), while 13 were uncomplicated. The age range was 16-40 years (mean 26.8 years). The disease was more common in patients with high parity of 3 and above and one-half were in the second trimester. The common features were right iliac fossa and right flank pain and tenderness; nausea, anorexia and fever were less frequent. There was an average delay of 2.7 days between admission and surgical consult, due mostly to a suspicion of urinary tract infection. Three patients, including the 2 with perforation developed superficial wound infection. There was no maternal or perinatal mortality. Hospital stay was 7-14 days (mean 10.2 days). Negative appendicectomy was not associated with any complications (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:52-56) 

KEY WORDS: Appendicitis, Pregnancy 


Diabetic Extremities in Kaduna

M.O. Ogirima, *M.E. Asuku, *A.Y. Ukwenya and *N.O. Udezue

Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and *Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Kaduna


ABSTRACT

A 5-year retrospective review of 35 patients, suffering from diabetes mellitus with complication of the disease affecting the hands and feet is made between November 1994 and October 1999. The age range was 35-70 years with mean age of 48.5 years. M:F ratio was 2:1. The mean blood sugar at presentation was 12.9 mmol/L. There were 4 diabetic hands and 31 diabetic feet. There were 17 amputations, 12 serial wound dressing and 6 debridments. Mean duration of hospitalisation was 47.3 days. Early presentation and aggressive surgical approach to these patients is recommended (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:57-61)

KEY WORDS: Diabetes, Extremities 


Angular Deformities of the Knee in Children

B. A. Solagberu

Department of Surgery, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin


ABSTRACT

Reports from Ibadan and Zaria showed variations in the types of angular deformities of the knee in children. This work was done to determine the varieties of the deformities and their causes at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Ilorin, Nigeria and review the problem in Nigeria. A prospective analysis of all children with angular knee deformities seen at the orthopaedic clinic of the University of Ilorin Teaching hospital Ilorin, Nigeria was carried out over a one-year period. The patients were evaluated clinically, radiologically and biochemically and their results analysed. Seventy two children comprising 38 males and 34 females (M: F=1.1:1) with deformities in their knee were seen. The age range was 1.5 to 11 years. Forty-two children had physiological changes of growth, 66.6% of them were boys while 18 children had rickets, 14 of them, (77.8%) were girls. Additionally, Blount's disease was seen in ten, six of who were girls. Two boys had posttraumatic genu valga. The commonest presentation was bilateral genu deformities. Diagnosis of rickets was made clinically and radiologically, serum biochemistry was not contributory. Thirty-four patients had corrective osteotomy. When compared with other reports from Nigeria, it appears that the scope of genu deformities in children varies from centre to centre. There is a need to conduct a multi-centre study to determine the true pattern in Nigeria (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:62-67)

KEY WORDS: Knee deformities, Rickets, Blount's disease, Osteotomy, Geny varum, Genu valgum, Children


Histological Studies on the Effects of Chronic Feeding of Vernonia Amygdalina Del. Leaves on Rats

N. D.G Ibrahim, * E. M. Abdurahman and *G. Ibrahim

Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, and * Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria


ABSTRACT

Vernonia amygdalina (bitter-leaf tree) is a tropical plant belonging to the family Compositae and is used widely as vegetable and medicinal plant. The study was conducted to evaluate the relative safety of chronic consumption of V. amygdalina in an experimental model (Rat) based on clinical and possible pathological observations Four groups of male (Wistar) rats, aged 4-6 weeks, with average weight of 33.27g received, for 65 days, 25%(w/w), 50%(w/w), and 75%(w/w) powdered leaves of V. amygdalina Del. orally. The animals in the control group were fed on normal feed. All the animals were observed for feed and water intake daily and it was found that the difference in body weight for the treatment groups was significantly lower (P<0.05) compared to the control group. After the treatment with V. amygdalina, the skin of the rats was found to be remarkably light coloured. Microscopically, the kidney, hepatic and testicular architectures were found to be normal (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:68- 74)

KEY WORDS: Vernonia amygdalina, Wistar rat, Water, Feed, Body weight, Tissue, Safe


Viral Infectivity Markers in Donor Blood: A Retrospective Study of Three Donor Categories

S.G. Ahmed and *A. W. Hassan 

Departments of Haematology and *Surgery, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri 


ABSTRACT

A total of 12,540 homologous donors seen between 1993 and 1999 at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (U.M.T.H) blood bank were analysed with respect to the frequency of viral infectivity markers (HBsAg and HIV antibodies) as it relates to donor categories. Fifteen percent and 4.07% of voluntary donors were positive for HBsAg and HIV antibodies respectively. Fifteen percent and 4.11% of family replacement donors were positive for HBsAg and HIV antibodies respectively but did not differ significantly from the frequencies in voluntary donors (P>0.05). Commercial donors had the highest frequencies of 21.3% for HBsAg and 7.01% for HIV antibodies, significantly higher than the corresponding figures of 14.63% (P<0.05) for HBsAg and 4.07% (P<0.05) for HIV antibodies in voluntary donors. In addition, 1.99% of the commercial donors tested positive for both viral infectivity markers. It is concluded that family replacement donors are of comparable safety to the voluntary donors while commercial donors have significantly higher frequencies of viral infectivity markers than voluntary donors and carry higher risk of transfusion transmissible infection (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:75- 80)

KEY WORDS: Blood donors, HBsAg, HIV Antibodies


Myelo-Suppressive Effects of Breast Cancer Chemotherapy in Nigerian Patients

S. N. C. Anyanwu

Department of Surgery, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi


ABSTRACT

Breast cancer has become a major surgical burden in Nigeria as in other developing countries. Unlike in `Western societies where the tendency is towards earlier discovery when there are higher chances of cure, the disease still presents late in many African countries. In the absence of regular access to radiotherapy, chemotherapy is the major adjuvant treatment for pre-menopausal lesions in the third world. A prospective study of the myelo-suppresive effects of chemotherapy was undertaken in two hospitals by a single surgical practice between 1994 and 1997. Of the 64 patients treated within the period, 42 were evaluable as they completed the treatment and did not take concurrent native medication or radiotherapy. There was a depression of the blood indices with haematocrit being the least affected. Depression in neutrophil count though significant did not reach neutropaenic levels. Platelet depression was more marked towards the end of treatment. Twenty-five percent of the patients had dose-deferment of less than 2 weeks due to low haemoglobin or platelet count. It is concluded that with adequate monitoring cancer chemotherapy at recommended doses is feasible as outpatient treatment in third world countries (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:81-87)

KEY WORDS: Breast cancer, Chemotherapy, Myelo-suppression


Sarcomatous Change in Polyostotic Paget's Disease-A Diagnostic Conundrum

H.C. Nwadiaro, *A.N. Manasseh and *A.Z. Mohammed

Departments of Surgery and *Histopathology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos


ABSTRACT

This is a report of a 56-year-old man presented to highlight the clinical features and diagnostic difficulties of Paget's disease in our environment. The patient had a four year history of intractable body pains and at different times had pathological fracture, loss of vision, conductive hearing loss, frequent intermittent anaemia requiring blood transfusion, paraparesis, one sided headache, cardiac failure and suspected Foster Kennedy syndrome. An earlier bilateral orchidectomy was done for suspected metastatic carcinoma of the prostate following markedly elevated acid phosphatase and ESR in the presence of enlarged hard prostate but a trucut biopsy of the gland later showed no evidence of malignancy. A multidisciplinary clinical assessment along with sequential ancillary test, roentgenography and bone marrow study helped to arrive at the eventual diagnosis (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:88-91)

KEY WORDS: Paget's disease, Sarcomatous change


Radial Aplasia Syndrome - A Case Report

R. D. Wammanda, W. N. Ogala and *A. I. Mamman

Departments of Paediatrics and *Haematology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital,
Zaria.


ABSTRACT

A four day-old girl presented with abnormality of both upper limbs. Pregnancy and delivery had been uneventful. Clinical, radiological and haematological evaluations were consistent with radial aplasia syndrome. The case is reported as a rare congenital malformation of unknown aetiology (Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2:92-94)

KEY WORDS: Radial aplasia syndrome


Day Case Surgery of the Testicle - Testicular Biopsy 

N. H. Mbibu

Urology Unit, Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
(Nig J Surg Res 2000; 2: 95 - 96)