Classical bladder exstrophy in an adolescent: A case report on management, challenges and outcome.

Classical bladder exstrophy is a congenital anomaly whose management and outcome has advanced over years. Management and outcome are better when management starts at the newborn period. This was the management of a neglected bladder exstrophy in a male presenting at 16 years of age. We report our challenges, management and outcome to highlight the rarity of this presentation, and the adaptation to the usual protocol of care. The patient presented at 16 years of age with classic bladder exstrophy. The bladder plate was contracted and had cystitis. The patient had a modification of complete primary repair of exstrophy (CPRE) with bilateral pelvic osteotomy stabilised with a 7-hole plate and 4 screws, then bladder neck reconstruction + bladder augmentation + cross-trigonal neocystoureterostomy in a 12-h procedure. He had surgical site infection, superficial wound breakdown and vesicocutaneous fistula that all healed with dressing and prolonged suprapubic cystostomy drainage. He achieved some degree of urinary continence and ability to void, though he still has stress incontinence and frequency at 6 months of follow-up. He has a micturition interval of 60-120 min, and is expected to improve. Presentation and repair of classic bladder exstrophy in the adolescent is very rare in the literature and therefore no known standard of care. This report adds to the body of knowledge. Again, this experience lends credence to the proponents of CPRE in reducing the number of procedures required to treat exstrophy.

Post-circumcision urethrocutaneous fistulae: presentations, repairs and outcomes in a tertiary centre.

Background: Circumcision is regarded as the most common surgical procedure world over. It is also perceived to be a simple and safe procedure; however, it could be fraught with major urological complications such as urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF). Repair of these fistulae poses a great reconstructive challenge to the paediatric surgeon/urologist with varied outcomes. Aim: We seek to review the presentations, repair and outcome of post-circumcision UCFs managed in a tertiary centre. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective review of all the consecutive cases of repaired post-circumcision UCFs in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, South-East Nigeria, over a period of 9 years (January 2012-December 2020). Data on demography, size of fistula, type of repair and outcome were retrieved from the Records Department and patients' case notes and were analysed using SPSS (version 22, Chicago, Illinois). Results: A total of 22 boys had post-circumcision UCF repair within the period, and they were aged between 2 weeks and 108 months with a median age of 4 months at presentation and aged between 8 months and 144 months with a median age of 24 months at the time of surgery. Circumcisions were by freehand technique in 21 (95.5%). Nurses performed most of the circumcisions in 19 (86.4%), and most of the circumcisions were performed in private hospitals 7 (31.8%), maternity homes 3 (13.6%) and general hospitals in 10 (45.5%) each, respectively. Most 17 (77.3%) fistulae were coronal, and the size of defect ranged from 1 mm to 10 mm. The most commonly employed technique of repair was simple closure in 16 (72.2%). Meatal stenosis and re-fistulation occurred in 2 (9.1%) and 4 (18.2%), respectively. Only two (12.5%) required reoperation. There was no relationship between the size of defect and re-fistulation, P = 0.377. Conclusion: Majority of the Post-circumcision urethrocutaneous fistulae were from free hand technique of circumcisions . These were performed mostly by nurses in general, private hospitals and maternity homes. Hence, there is a need to ramp up training of providers of neonatal circumcision in our environment. Most UCF in children could be repaired with simple closure technique reinforced with dartos flap.

Overview of Rate and Risk Factors of Surgical Site Infection in a Tertiary Hospital in Liberia: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is accountable for a third of postoperative deaths and for 8% of all deaths due to hospital-acquired infections. There is a wide disparity in the incidence and burden of SSI in low and high-income countries. Objectives: To assess the rates and risk factors of SSI in a tertiary hospital in a resource-limited sub-Saharan African country and generate institutional baseline data for future monitoring and interventions. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive prospective cohort study done at John F Kennedy Memorial Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Monrovia, Liberia, from October 18 to December 18, 2021. Consecutive participants, including children and adults that had surgical operations within the study period, were recruited. Criteria for diagnosis of SSI were as defined by the Centre for Disease Control (1999). Data were collected on the demography of the participants, type of surgery done, presence of SSI, comorbidities, and risk factors for SSI. Results: Of the 111 patients analyzed, thirty-two patients had SSI giving a hospital incident rate of 28.8%. This comprises superficial SSI (22/31; 71.0%), deep SSI (6/31; 19.4%), and organ/space SSI (3/31; 9.7%). Twelve out of 42 females (28.6%) and 20 of 69 males (29.0%) had SSI. There is no statistically significant difference in gender SSI rate (P = 0.963). SSI occurred more in dirty wounds (13/23; 56.5%), compared to contaminated wounds (6/11, 54.6%), clean contaminated (7/22; 31.8%), and clean wounds (6/55, 10.9%). There is a statistical difference in the rate of SSI among the wound classes (P = 0.001). The infection rate is also more in emergency surgeries (18/39, 46.2%) compared to elective surgeries (14/72, 19.4%), and it is significant (P = 0.003). Statistically, there was no significant difference between the two skin preparation agents used (P = 0.351). The abdomen was the most common site of surgical incision and had the highest rate of SSI (24/79; 30.4%) (P = 0.045). There was no statistical difference in SSI rate between those whose hairs were removed in the ward or in the theatre (P = 0.114); length of incision (P = 0.297), or duration of surgery (P = 0.715) (see table for classification and rates). Conclusion: The SSI rate in our study is high at 28.8%. Abdominal surgeries, emergencies, and wound class accounted for the majority of the SSIs. The baseline data will be useful in developing infection control strategies.

Early Experience with Laparoscopic Management of Nonpalpable Undescended Testes.

BACKGROUND: Nonpalpable undescended testes (NPT) constitute 20%-30% of undescended testes, and its management has been a challenge both in diagnosis and treatment. Worldwide, laparoscopy is the current gold standard of management. In Nigeria, the management of NPT has largely been by open surgery with consequent high morbidity. In Nigeria, the trend is changing from a largely open management with its attendant high morbidity, to laparoscopic management which is the current worldwide gold standard of care. AIM: This study aims to classify the laparoscopic features of NPT and determine the outcome of managed cases in our center. METHODOLOGY: Prospective data were collected from consecutive patients who had laparoscopy for NPT at the Paediatric Surgical Unit of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria from June 2014 to July 2016. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients with 23 testes were treated. There were eight patients with bilateral NPT; four had left and the remaining three right NPT. The age ranged from 1.2 to 29 years with a median of 5 years. Eleven out of the 22 internal inguinal rings were open. The position of the testes was canalicular (2), peeping (2), low abdominal (6), high abdominal (6), blind-ended vas (1), absent vas and vessels (5). No further intervention was needed for the six agenetic/atrophic testes. Standard open orchiopexy was done for the two canalicular testes. Eight testes were brought down by one stage laparoscopic orchiopexy while four were brought down by staged laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens procedure. Laparoscopic orchiectomy was done in two patients (a grossly dysmorphic testes [nubbin] and a high abdominal testis in a 29-year-old). Orchiopexy was successful in 11 out of 15 fixed testes. Of the unsuccessful ones, three testes were atrophic (volume less than what it was initially) while two were high scrotal (one testes has both complications). There was no conversion to open abdominal surgery. All patients were discharged within 24 h of surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy provides for a better management of NPT by combining diagnosis and intervention in the same sitting with a good success rate and minimal postoperative morbidity.

Early experience with laparoscopic management of nonpalpable undescended testes

Background: Nonpalpable undescended testes (NPT) constitute 20%­30% of undescended testes, and its management has been a challenge both in diagnosis and treatment. Worldwide, laparoscopy is the current gold standard of management. In Nigeria, the management of NPT has largely been by open surgery with consequent high morbidity. In Nigeria, the trend is changing from a largely open management with its attendant high morbidity, to laparoscopic management which is the current worldwide gold standard of care. Aim: This study aims to classify the laparoscopic features of NPT and determine the outcome of managed cases in our center. Methodology: Prospective data were collected from consecutive patients who had laparoscopy for NPT at the Paediatric Surgical Unit of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria from June 2014 to July 2016. Results: A total of 15 patients with 23 testes were treated. There were eight patients with bilateral NPT; four had left and the remaining three right NPT. The age ranged from 1.2 to 29 years with a median of 5 years. Eleven out of the 22 internal inguinal rings were open. The position of the testes was canalicular (2), peeping (2), low abdominal (6), high abdominal (6), blind-ended vas (1), absent vas and vessels (5). No further intervention was needed for the six agenetic/atrophic testes. Standard open orchiopexy was done for the two canalicular testes. Eight testes were brought down by one stage laparoscopic orchiopexy while four were brought down by staged laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens procedure. Laparoscopic orchiectomy was done in two patients (a grossly dysmorphic testes [nubbin] and a high abdominal testis in a 29-year-old). Orchiopexy was successful in 11 out of 15 fixed testes. Of the unsuccessful ones, three testes were atrophic (volume less than what it was initially) while two were high scrotal (one testes has both complications). There was no conversion to open abdominal surgery. All patients were discharged within 24 h of surgery.Conclusion: Laparoscopy provides for a better management of NPT by combining diagnosis and intervention in the same sitting with a good success rate and minimal postoperative morbidity

Comparison of trans-perineal ultrasound-guided pressure augmented saline colostomy distension study and conventional contrast radiographic colostography in children with anorectal malformation.

BACKGROUND: In children with high and intermediate anorectal malformation, distal colostography is an important investigation done to determine the relationship between the position of the rectal pouch and the probable site of the neo-anus as well as the presence or absence of a fistula. Conventionally, this is done using contrast with fluoroscopy or still X-ray imaging. This, however, has the challenges of irradiation, availability and affordability, especially in developing countries. This study compared the accuracy of trans-perineal ultrasound-guided pressure augmented saline colostomy distension study (SCDS) with conventional contrast distal colostography (CCDC) in the determination of the precise location of the distal rectal pouch and in detecting the presence and site of fistulous communication between the rectum and the urogenital tract was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Trans-perineal ultrasound-guided pressure augmented SCDS, CCDC and intra-operative measurements were done sequentially for qualified infants with anorectal malformation and colostomy. Pouch skin distance and presence or absence of recto urinary or genital fistula was measured prospectively in each case. Statistical significance was inferred at P-value of <0.01. RESULTS: There were thirteen infants, 9 males and 4 females. The age at onset of investigation ranged from 2 to 12 months with a median value of 9 months. Using paired t-test at a confidence interval of 95%, the P value when SCDS values are compared with CCDC is 0.19; and 0.06 when SCDS was compared with intra-operative measurements. Hence, there is no statistical difference as P > 0.01. On its ability to detect presence or absence of a fistula: SCDS had a sensitivity of 50.0%, specificity of 100.0%, accuracy of 69.2%, negative predictive value of fistulas of 55.6% and a positive predictive value of fistulas of 100.0%. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided pressure augmented SCDS can safely and reliably be used to assess the distal colonic anatomy and the presence of fistula in infants with Anorectal malformation who are on colostomy.

Parental circumcision preferences and early outcome of plastibell circumcision in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND: Parents are central in decisions and choices concerning circumcision of their male children and plastibell circumcision is a widely practiced technique. This study determined parental preferences for male neonatal and infant circumcisions and evaluate the early outcomes of plastibell circumcisions in a tertiary centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study on consecutive male neonates and infants who were brought for circumcisions at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, South-East Nigeria and their respective parents between January 2012 and December 2012. Data on demography, parental choices and early outcome of plastibell circumcision were obtained and analysed. RESULTS: A total of 337 requests for circumcisions were made for boys with age range of 2-140 days. Culture and religion were the most common reasons for circumcision requests in 200 (59.3%) and 122 (36.2%), respectively, other reasons were medical, cosmesis, to reduce promiscuity and just to follow the norm. Most parents, 249 (73.9%) preferred the procedure to be performed on the 8 th day and 88.7% would like the doctors to perform the procedure while 84.6% preferred the plastibell method. Among those who had circumcision, 114 complied with follow-up schedules and there were complications in 22 (19.3%) patients. Parents assessed the early outcome as excellent, very good, good and poor in 30.7%, 45.6%, 18.4% and 5.3% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Parents request for male circumcision in our environment is largely for cultural and religious reasons; and prefer the procedure to be performed by a physician. Plastibell method is well known and preferred and its outcome is acceptable by most parents.