Outcomes of Surgical Management for Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Infants in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Patent ductus arteriosus is a common cardiac anomaly in infants that, if untreated, is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. In lower-middle-income countries, such as Nigeria, obtaining cardiovascular surgical care for infants remains difficult. In recent years, especially with the assistance of international voluntary cardiac organizations, efforts have increased to provide cardiac surgical services to this underserved population. METHODS: In this case series, the authors describe outcomes in 30 infants surgically treated for patent ductus arteriosus between 2013 and 2019 at an emerging cardiac center in Nigeria (9 male [30%] and 21 female [70%]; mean [SD] age, 8.2 [3.01] months; mean [SD] weight, 5.3 [1.52] kg; mean [range] weight deficit, 34.5% [15%-60%]). RESULTS: All the infants presented with patent ductus arteriosus as the main cardiac lesion, and 4 (13%) were syndromic. The mean (SD) patent ductus arteriosus diameter was 4.73 (1.46) mm. Surgical closure was completed in 29 infants; 1 died before surgery. No procedure-related deaths occurred, but 2 cases of trivial residual patent ductus arteriosus were recorded. CONCLUSION: Overall, surgical outcomes were excellent, with acceptable mortality rates. Perioperative care will continue to improve as the center is built to a self-sustaining capacity. Findings of this research at this emerging cardiac center in a developing country are a testament to the positive contribution made by international voluntary cardiac missions.

The Ebb and Flow of Neurosurgery in a Re-Emerging Sub-Saharan Center. Lessons from 1025 Consecutive Operated Cases and Progress Models. A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The evolution of neurosurgery in our center comprises 2 active phases separated by a decade-long latent phase. This study evaluates our experience in the renaissance phase using 1025 cases. We identify paradigms that predict progress under existing practice conditions. METHODS: A prospective observational study was undertaken of all freshly operated patients from 2009 to 2016. Ethical approval was obtained from the hospital institutional review board. Data of enrolled patients were acquired and analyzed using SPSS software for Windows version 21. Inferences were evaluated using a 95% level of significance. Major and intermediate cases were included, whereas bedside cases as well as patients operated on elsewhere were excluded. RESULTS: Of 5132 patients treated, 3033 had surgical lesions, 1129 (33.2 ± 2.7% confidence limit [CL]) were operated on, and 1025 satisfied the study criteria. The unmet surgical load (66.1%) was significant (χ2 = 10.9; degree of freedom = 1; P = 0.001). The most common diseases treated were neurotrauma in 438 patients, congenital malformations in 268, and tumors in 170. The mean annual operative rate was 125 ± 5.7 patients (95% CL). Cases showed significant variability using 1-way analysis of variance (F = 13.77; P = 0.03). Residency training was a positive influence on surgeons' operative rate (χ2 = 7.59; P = 0.02). The mean complication rate was 10.3% ± 2.9%, and the mortality was 5.5% ± 1.7%. CONCLUSIONS: We found a large unmet neurosurgical load. To resolve this situation, we recommend an increase in the number of training programs for neurosurgery residency. As neurosurgery units evolve, their progress may be evaluated using the NESCAPE (Neurosurgery Care Phase Evolution) paradigm.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) in non-communicating hydrocephalus (NCH): comparison of outcome profiles in Nigerian children.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS) although recognized surgical options for non-communicating hydrocephalus have debatable applications. OBJECTIVE: We analysed a prospective cohort of age-matched children with non-tumor, non-communicating hydrocephalus treated with the two surgical modalities using clinically measurable parameters. METHODS: A single institution analysis of age-matched patients with non-communicating hydrocephalus treated with VPS or ETV over a 3-year period. Occipitofrontal circumference (OFC), milestone, shunt independence as well as complication profiles of patients were recorded and analysed. Mean follow-up period was 1.27 ± 0.19 years 95%CI). Data analysis were performed using SPSS version 15, Chicago, IL. Statistical tests were set at 95% significance level. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were enrolled, 25 patients had ETV, while 30 had VPS. Mean age was 2.3 ± 0.7 years (95% CI) with a range of 3 months to 4.5 years. Aqueductal stenosis was the most common indication. OFC profile decline was significant among the VPS group when compared with ETV group at 3 months follow-up (χ2 = 7.59, df = 1, p < 0.05). There was no difference among the two treatment groups χ2 = 2.47, df = 1, p > 0.05) in milestone profile. Thirteen percent of VPS, compared to (4%) ETV patients, had sepsis (χ2 = 4.59, df = 1 p < 0.05). Ninety-two percent of ETV patients remained shunt free, while 80% of shunted patients achieved ETV independence. Two patients died among the VPS group compared to one patient in the ETV group. CONCLUSION: VPS compared to ETV is associated with an earlier milestone and OFC response. ETV is associated with lower rates of sepsis and mortality.