Outcomes of Tubularized Incised Plate Urethroplasty (TIPU) for Hypospadias at Tikur Anbesa Specialized and Menelik II Referral Hospitals: One-year Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results and related factors of tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty at two institutions. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort analytical study conducted over a period of 12 months. All patients who underwent TIP urethroplasty in the specified period were studied. Quantitative and qualitative data of the intrinsic parameters of the penis were obtained and patients were followed for an average period of 14.72 ± 3.67 months (range 9-21months) after surgery. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine patients (N = 129) were included in the study. The mean age at surgery was 50.93 months. The mean glans size and pre-incised urethral plate width were 14.34 mm and 8.38mm respectively. The post-operative results were satisfactory with the meatus in a glanular position in 122(94.6%) patients. Overall, 49 patients (38%) developed complications. Eighteen patients (14%) developed early complications whereas forty-two (32.6%) patients had late complications. UCF and Meatal stenosis occurred in 27 (20.9%) & 14 (10.9%) patients respectively. Seven patients developed recurrent hypospadias and dehiscence of glans occurred in eight patients (6.2%). CONCLUSION: TIP can be used to repair for all types of hypospadias in the absence of severe penile curvature. It has more complication rate in proximal than distal hypospadias. Distal hypospadias were the most common type of hypospadias corrected with TIP. UCF and meatal stenosis were the most common complication followed by glans dehiscence and recurrent hypospadias. Glans size, age at surgery, plate width, location of meatus and stretched penile length were the most determinant factors for the outcome.

Outcome of PUV Patients Following Ablation in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Posterior urethral valve  (PUV) is the most common cause of congenital lower urinary tract obstruction in boys. It is considered that early diagnosis and intervention have good outcomes in terms of renal function, though the varying extent of embryological insult requires these boys to remain in extended follow-up and care. OBJECTIVE: To assess the renal outcome of patients following PUV ablation. METHODS: This was a descriptive retrospective study. Data were collected from the operation logbooks of patients from 2015 to 2019 that had been admitted to the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital pediatric surgery unit with a working diagnosis of PUV and had ablation done primarily or following diversion. Data were collected from January to April 2020 and analyzed using SPSS 25. P value≤0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Seventy patients were analyzed and followed for 3 years for the development of postoperative chronic kidney disease (CKD) after PUV ablation. Postoperative CKD was found in 52.9% of patients and end-stage renal disease in 2.9%. Risk factors associated with postoperative CKD were the presence of preoperative and postoperative proteinuria, postoperative hypertension, and elevated nadir serum creatinine. Results also showed that a delay between the development of vesicostomy and ablation had a significant correlation with renal outcome. Elevated nadir serum creatinine, postoperative proteinuria, and delay between the development of vesicostomy and ablation were found to be independent risk factors of development of CKD. CONCLUSION: There was a high rate of CKD development in patients who had had ablation for PUV, which was comparable to other studies. Three variables were found to be independent risk factors for the progression of CKD, unlike other findings seen in low- and middle-income countries.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Thrombocytopenia in Neonates Admitted with Surgical Disorders to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: A One-Year Observational Prospective Cohort Study from a Low-Income Country.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is one of the most common hematologic disorders affecting neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and associated risk factors of neonatal thrombocytopenia in neonates admitted with surgical disorders. METHODS: An observational prospective cohort study was conducted and all neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital with surgical disorders were included. Data were collected using a checklist and analyzed by SPSS version 23. Chi square test and independent sample t- test were used to assess the association among different variables. RESULTS: A total of 210 neonates were included in the study, out of which 56.2% were males. The incidence of thrombocytopenia was 55.8%. Among neonates with thrombocytopenia, 90.9% had late onset thrombocytopenia and half were in the severe range (<50,000/µL). The presence of sepsis (P = 0.000) and atresia (P = 0.000) were found to be significantly associated with the development of thrombocytopenia. The mean non feeding hours were found to be significantly longer for patients with thrombocytopenia (t [199], 5.81, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The incidence of thrombocytopenia is high in our institution. Prevention methods towards neonatal sepsis should be given due emphasis.

Early Outcome of Laparotomy Wounds in Pediatric Patients in TASH, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Six-Months Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical Site Infection (SSI) and wound dehiscence are two early complications of laparotomy causing significant morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of SSI and wound dehiscence in pediatric surgical patients. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study of all pediatric surgical patients who underwent laparotomy at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia, from December 2017 to May 2018. Data collected included demographics, operative indication, nutritional status, prophylactic antibiotics administration, and duration of operation. Primary outcome was SSI; secondary outcomes were hospital stay and other postoperative complications, including wound dehiscence and mortality. Data were analyzed using SPSS, Version 23. Fisher's exact and Chi-squared tests used to report outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with SSI, wound dehiscence and other outcomes. RESULTS: Of 114 patients, median age was 46 months [range: 1day-13 years]; 77(67.5 %) were males. Overall SSI rate was 21.05%. Nine (7.9%) developed wound dehiscence while 3(2.6%) had abdominal contents evisceration. Overall mortality rate was 2.6%. In multivariate analysis, prophylactic antibiotics administration (AOR=13.05, (p=0.006)), duration of procedure (AOR=8.62, (p=0.012)) and wound class (AOR=16.63, (p=0.034)) were independent risk factors for SSI while SSI was an independent predictor of prolonged hospital stay, >1 week (AOR=4.7, p=.003,) and of wound dehiscence (AOR=33. 96, p=0.003). Age (p=0.004) and malnutrition (p<0.001) were significantly associated with wound dehiscence. CONCLUSION: SSI and wound dehiscence are common in this setting. Wound contamination, antibiotics administration >1 hour before surgery and operative time >2 hours are independent predictors of SSI.

Outcomes of early relaparotomy in pediatric patients at Tikur Anbessa teaching hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a five-year retrospective review.

BACKGROUND: Early relaparotomy is defined as relaparotomy within the first 30 days following surgery. The aim of this study is to explore the indications, outcomes and factors associated with relaparotomy in our pediatric population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of pediatric surgical patients (< 13 yrs.) who underwent relaparotomy at Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2016. All children who had relaparotomy within the first 30 days of the initial surgery were included. We collected patient data including demographics, operative indication, and postoperative outcomes. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 23. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to report outcomes stratified by patient characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify patient variables associated with relaparotomy and other outcomes. RESULTS: In our patient population, relaparotomy rate was 17.2%. Patient age ranged from 2 days to 12 years with mean age of 37.5 months. Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Thirty-one (58.5%) relaparotomies were performed between the 5th and 8th postoperative days. The two most common indications for relaparotomy were postoperative intra-abdominal collection and anastomotic leak, accounting for 18 (34.0%) and 17 (32.1%) respectively. Mortality rate following relaparotomy was 26.4%. The most common cause of mortality was sepsis with multi-system organ failure (90.6%). Neonatal age was found to be the independent risk factors for death following relaparotomy, (AOR = 27.59, 95% CI [2.0-379.9]). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of relaparotomy in pediatric patients is high (17.2%) in our patient population. Neonatal age was associated with increased mortality following relaparotomy.

Hypospadias Repair in Ethiopia: A Five Year Review.

BACKGROUND: Hypospadias repair is one of the problematic issues in pediatric surgery. As a result of the multiple complications following the procedure, a variety of techniques have been used and newer methods continue to emerge. There is still controversy regarding the best method of repair. We aimed to determine the outcome of surgery and factors contributing to unfavorable outcomes in children with hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review undertaken from September 2009 to August 2014. The research was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All children who underwent hypospadias repair and had regular follow-up were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 202 boys aged less than 13 years were assessed. Most surgeries (80.3%) were performed in children older than 18 months. Transverse incised plate urethroplasty (TIP) was frequently performed for distal hypospadias (71.2 %), while transverse ventral preputal flap (TVPF) was the most common procedure done for proximal hypospadias (62.8 %). Overall success rate for first surgery was 55.9 %. There was a high rate of major post-operative complications (44.1%) of which urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF) was the most common (31.2%) followed by meatal stenosis and glans breakdown (7.4 % each). These complications were found to be higher in those who were operated at a later age and those with proximal hypospadias (p=0.03 and p=0.01 respectively). There was also a significant difference among the type of procedures with TIP and TVPF having the least complications (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: From our experience, we found TIP a relatively safe and reliable method of repair for distal hypospadias while TVPF single stage repair was superior in the proximal ones. The high rate of complications in our institution was associated with higher burden of severe hypospadias and older age at surgery.

PATTERN AND OUTCOME OF NEONATAL SURGICAL CASES AT TIKUR ANBESSA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA.

Introduction: The survival of neonates with surgical conditions has greatly improved in developed countries, but still remains poor in developing countries. Available evidence suggests that this is due to several challenges encountered in neonates requiring surgical care. The aim of this study was to determine causes and outcomes of neonatal surgical admissions. Patients and Methods: retrospective review of medical records of neonates who were admitted and treated at Tikur Anbessa Hospital between January1, 2010 and December 31, 2014. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and association between variables measured using regression analysis on SPSS version 16 statistical software. Results: There were a total of 652 surgical neonatal admissions during the study period of which 396 were males, 252 females and 4 with indeterminate genitalia. The male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Majority of the cases 562 (86.2%) had congenital malformation. Lesions of the gastrointestinal tract 282(43.3%), mainly Anorectal malformations followed by abdominal wall defects. Two-third (66.6%) of the cases were surgically managed. Nearly onequarter of them died. The proportion who died ranged from 0.03% for Hirschsprung's disease to 73.2% for esophageal atresia. The immediate causes of death among these series of neonates were ascribed to septic shock and respiratory failure. Conclusion: Neonatal surgical admission is common in the Hospital. The overall number of deaths in this series of neonatal surgical cases was high. The type of principal diagnosis and the age of the neonates at admission were significantly associated with outcome. Creating awareness about neonatal surgical conditions may help to improve the current poor result.

Bladder exstrophy management at Tikur Anbesa University Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Bladder exstrophy is a rare congenital malformation which presents a defect of anterior lower mid abdominal wall, with anteriorly deficient bladder wall, widening of symphysis pubis, and epispadias. Management includes single or multiple stage repairs and urinary diversion procedures aimed at preservation of renal function, maintenance of continence to urine, normal appearing external genitalia and satisfactory sexual function. OBJECTIVE: To review the experience of Bladder extrophy management at Tikur Anbessa University Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in five years. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of pediatric patients managed for bladder extrophy at Tikur Anbesa Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from September 1st 2007 to August 31st 2012. RESULTS: A total of forty six cases of classic bladder extrophy were seen and managed between September 1st, 2007 to August 31st, 2012. Thirty one (67.69%) of them were managed by staged repair and 15 (32.61%) were managed by diversion of urine to ureterosigmoidostomy pouch (Mainz II pouch). The results of staged repair on 31 cases (67.39%) were early to assess because most of them were waiting for second stage repair. Regarding those managed by Mainz II pouch ureterosigmoidostomy 14/15 (93.3%) achieved continence to urine which was satisfactory in terms of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Ureterosigmoidostomy pouch is a good alternative for selected neglected cases in improving the quality of life in the developing world.