A Prospective, Observational Cost Comparison of Laparoscopic and Open Appendicectomy in Three Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefits of laparoscopic appendicectomy are well recognized over open appendicectomy. However, laparoscopic procedures are not frequently conducted in many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) for several reasons, including perceived higher costs. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and cost of laparoscopic appendicectomy compared to open appendicectomy in Nigeria. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, cohort study among patients undergoing appendicectomy was conducted at three tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Data were collected from October 2020 to February 2022 and analyses compared the average healthcare costs at 30 days after surgery. Quantile regression was conducted to identify variables that had an impact on the costs, reported in Nigerian Naira (Naira) and US dollars ($), with standard deviations (SD). FINDINGS: This study included 105 patients, of which 39 had laparoscopic appendicectomy and 66 had open appendicectomy. The average healthcare cost of laparoscopic appendicectomy (147,562 Naira (SD: 97,130) or $355 (SD: 234)) was higher than open appendicectomy (113,556 Naira (SD: 88,559) or $273 (SD: 213)). The average time for return to work was shorter with laparoscopic than open appendicectomy (mean: 8 days vs. 14 days). At the average daily income of $5.06, laparoscopic appendicectomy was associated with 9778 Naira or $24 cost savings in return to work. Further, 5.1% of laparoscopic appendicectomy patients had surgical site infections compared to 22.7% for open appendicectomy. Regression analysis results showed that laparoscopic appendicectomy was associated with $14 higher costs than open appendicectomy, albeit non-significant (p = 0.53). INTERPRETATION: Despite selection bias in this real-world study, laparoscopic appendicectomy was associated with a slightly higher overall cost, a lower societal cost, a lower infection rate, and a faster return to work, compared to open appendicectomy. It is technically and financially feasible, and its provision in Nigeria should be expanded.

Management of Traumatic Diaphragmatic Injury-A Peep into Bowel Repair via Thoracotomy.

Background: Traumatic diaphragmatic injury (TDI) is a relatively rare condition, and there is a high tendency for it to be missed if thorough clinical assessment and imaging review are not carried out. The surgical approach for TDI can be challenging, especially with bowel perforation. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective case series of all consecutive patients with TDI from two tertiary hospitals in the southern part of Nigeria between January 2013 and December 2019. The demographic data of the patients, type, cause, and clinical diagnosis, intraoperative findings, Injury Severity Score, and outcome were noted. The descriptive statistics were presented in percentages and fractions. Results: Fourteen (4.3%) of the 326 chest trauma patients had TDI with 57.1% from penetrating causes and 42.9% from blunt causes. The causes of the TDI were gunshot injuries (42.9%), road traffic crashes (35.7%), stab injury (14.3%), and domestic accidents (7.1%). The preoperative method of diagnosis was mainly by massive haemothorax necessitating open thoracotomy (42.9%) and mixed clinical evaluation, chest radiograph, and upper gastrointestinal contrast studies (35.7%), and the drainage of intestinal content following the insertion of a chest tube to initially drain haemothorax (21.4%) and other modality of diagnoses (7.1%). The operative finding was mainly intestine content in the chest (50%) and only diaphragmatic injury (35.7%). The major complication after surgery was empyema thoracis (14.3%) and the mortality rate (14.3%). Conclusion: Penetrating injury of the chest was the major factor responsible for the TDI, and even with bowel perforation and acute TDI, thoracotomy offered an effective surgical approach for all the patients.

Laparoscopy may have a role in the drainage of liver abscess: Early experience at Owerri, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Image-guided percutaneous drainage with antimicrobial agents is the standard modality of treatment of liver abscess. Open surgical drainage, and lately laparoscopic drainage becomes useful in selected patients. Nigeria is awakening late to the laparoscopic surgery revolution. Public health institutions have started making enormous investments in minimal access surgery, which can augment deficient diagnostic capacities. OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcomes of the patients who underwent laparoscopic liver abscess drainage at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the laparoscopic liver abscess drainage procedures done between the period September 2007 and December 2012 was done. RESULTS: A total of eight patients in the study period were worked up for abscess surgical drainage based on ultrasound (seven cases) and computed tomography (one case) supported localized collection in the liver. Intraoperatively, one patient was noticed to have nodules on the liver that was later confirmed as hepatocellular carcinoma. Operating time ranged from 37 to 126 min. There was no conversion to open surgery. On the follow-up, one patient had residual abscess of 45 mm diameter size, after 6 weeks, and in whose aspirate acid-fast bacilli were identified. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic drainage should be considered in the management of liver abscess.

First 100 laparoscopic surgeries in a predominantly rural Nigerian population: a template for future growth.

BACKGROUND: Minimal access surgery has revolutionized surgery practice. Its proven advantages, such as reduced postoperative pain, early return to unrestricted activities, and better cosmesis, have become important drivers for its rapid development. In sub-Saharan Africa this development has been slow. The aim of the current study was to describe the challenges and outcomes of laparoscopic procedures in a public hospital that caters to a predominantly rural population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The first 100 patients who underwent laparoscopic procedure in the Department of Surgery at Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria were retrospectively analyzed. Data were retrieved from the medical records department as well as the surgical theater procedure register. The focus of the study was on patient demographics, indication for surgery, procedure performed, length of hospital stay, and morbidity and mortality data. Staff training was done locally and abroad. RESULTS: Altogether, 100 patients had laparoscopic surgery in our general surgery unit from September 2007 through July 2013. The ages of the patients was 5-75 years (median 36.5 years). The three main procedures were cholecystectomy (36 %), diagnostic laparoscopy (29 %), and appendectomy (21 %). The other operations performed included liver abscess drainage (7 %), adhesiolysis (3 %), hernia repair (1 %), and Heller's myotomy (1 %). Four cases were converted to open surgery. There were no deaths. There were 14 grades I and II postoperative complications in nine patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that basic laparoscopic procedures could be offered safely to our resource-poor rural population. It is a platform on which we can hopefully introduce advanced laparoscopic surgical operations.

Isolated Meckel's diverticulum perforation as a sequel to blunt abdominal trauma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Meckel's diverticulum is the commonest congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. Its infrequent occurrence is mirrored by the paucity of large series of data on it in the literature. Hemorrhage, obstruction and inflammation are the three main categories of complications resulting from Meckel's diverticulum. Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum following blunt abdominal injury is very rare indeed. We present what we believe to be the first case to be published from Africa. CASE PRESENTATION: A 29-year-old Nigerian Igbo man presented with progressively worsening abdominal pain following a road traffic accident. He was a front-seat passenger traveling without a seat belt. On physical examination his abdomen was distended with guarding and rigidity. A provisional diagnosis of peritonitis secondary to perforation of intestinal viscus was made. Our patient had an emergency laparotomy, where a perforated Meckel's diverticulum was discovered. A segmental resection of his ileum and reanastomosis were done. He had postoperative surgical site infection, but was asymptomatic for three months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum is rarely suspected as a cause of peritonitis following blunt abdominal injury. This case indicates the need to be aware of the possibility to limit morbidity associated with delayed management of such a perforation.

Intent at day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy in owerri, Nigeria: initial experiences.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been the default operation for cholelithiasis at Federal Medical Centre, Owerri for the past 2 years and the outcomes have been good. The duration of post operative stay has been decreasing. We therefore initiated a preliminary 2-year prospective study in May 2010 to determine the feasibility of carrying out day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PATIENTS UNDERGOING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY WERE INCLUDED IN THE STUDY IF THEY SATISFIED THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: Age < 65 years, body mass index < 35 kg/m(2) , American Society of Anaesthesiology physical status class I and II, patient residence within 20 km radius of the hospital, patient acceptance of the procedure and absence of previous complicated upper abdominal surgery. RESULTS: Twelve patients (10 females, 2 males) were worked up with the intent of achieving same-day discharge of the patients. Five of the patients (41.7%) were discharged on the day of operation. The reasons for overnight stay included inadequate pain control, insertion of drain and patient wishes. There was no conversion to open surgery, no major complications and no case of readmission to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our environment could be safely promoted but will depend on improved facilities and patient enlightenment.

Laparoscopy-guided Liver Abscess Drainage: An Additional Use of Veress Needle.

Percutaneous image-guided drainage is the standard of care in the treatment of liver abscess. However this may not suffice in multi-loculated abscesses and those associated with concomitant biliary pathology. We report the case of a 34 year old male who presented to our hospital with a huge hepatic abscess that could not be aspirated percutaneously. Subsequently he had a laparoscopic guided aspiration of the abscess, with the aid of veress needle. Three weeks post operatively, no residual abscess cavity was noticeable. We believe that minimal access surgery techniques should always be considered in the management of liver abscess, and that the veress needle can be an additional aspiration device, in our environment.

Leiomyoma of the greater omentum presenting with massive ascites.

INTRODUCTION: : Primary tumours of the omentum are quite uncommon, although it is a common site for for secondaries. PRESENTATION OF CASE: : We report a case of leiomyoma of the greater omentum in a 31-year-old nulliparous woman who presented with a 2-year history of progressive abdominal distension with examination findings of massive ascites and a mobile ill-defined centrally located intra-abdominal mass. The preoperative diagnosis was equivocal. At surgery a pedunculated greater omental mass, which was histologically reported as a leiomyoma, was seen. She had an uneventful post-operative recovery. She has been followed up for twelve months with no evidence of recurrence or residual disease. DISCUSSION: : Extra-uterine leiomyoma is rare. It is even rarer for it to originate from the omentum. Pre-operative diagnosis is challenging. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of leiomyoma of the omentum in Nigeria. CONCLUSION: : The uncommon association of ascites with this tumour deserves further scrutiny. The patient is still being followed-up.