Effect of Perioperative Tranexamic Acid on Blood Loss following Open Simple Prostatectomy: A Prospective Review in Nigerian Men.

BACKGROUND: Haemorrhage is a common complication following open simple prostatectomy and patients may sometimes require a blood transfusion. Tranexamic acid has been shown to reduce blood loss following transurethral resection of the prostate and open radical prostatectomy. This study evaluated the effect of perioperative intravenous administration of tranexamic acid on blood loss and blood transfusion rates in patients who had OSP for benign prostatic enlargement. METHODOLOGY: This was a comparative study of patients with documented prostate glands 60g and above scheduled for OSP. Initial hematocrit was done a day before surgery. The patients were randomized into a tranexamic acid group, which received perioperative intravenous tranexamic acid and the no-TXA group which received placebo (0.9% saline). All patients had open simple retropubic prostatectomy. Final post-operative hematocrit was assessed 72 hours after surgery, and blood loss was calculated using the modified Gross formula (actual blood loss = estimated blood volume x change in hematocrit / mean hematocrit). The transfusion rate was documented. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients participated in this study and were randomized into a tranexamic acid group and no-tranexamic acid group. The mean age of patients in the tranexamic acid group was 66.07 ±7.08 years and was comparable to the no- tranexamic acid group which was 66.50 ± 8.80 years (P = 0.842). The median total blood loss was lower in the tranexamic acid group (502mls, IQR 613) compared to the no-tranexamic acid group (801mls, IQR 1069). The difference in the median blood loss between the two groups was 299mls (U 275, P 0.055). The rate of blood transfusion was lower in the tranexamic acid group (6 patients, 21%) compared to the no tranexamic acid group (11 patients, 39%), (P = 0.146). There was no difference in complication rates between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The use of tranexamic acid in patients undergoing open simple prostatectomy showed a trend towards reduced intraoperative blood loss and less need no tranexamic for blood transfusion. This is of clinical significance, especially in elderly patients with low cardiovascular reserve.

CONTEXTE: L'hémorragie est une complication courante après une prostatectomie simple ouverte et les patients doivent parfois recevoir une transfusion sanguine. Il a été démontré que l'acide tranexamique réduit la perte de sang après une résection transurétrale de la prostate et une prostatectomie radicale ouverte. Cette étude a évalué l'effet de l'administration intraveineuse périopératoire d'acide tranexamique sur les pertes sanguines et les taux de transfusion sanguine chez des patients ayant subi une PSO pour hypertrophie bénigne de la prostate. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Il s'agissait d'une étude comparative de patients dont la prostate de 60 g et plus était documentée et qui devaient subir une PSO. L'hématocrite de base a été effectué un jour avant la chirurgie. Les patients ont été répartis aléatoirement dans le groupe acide tranexamique, qui a reçu de l'acide tranexamique periopératoire par voie intraveineuse, et dans le groupe sans TXA, qui a reçu un placebo. Tous les patients ont subi une prostatectomie rétropubienne simple ouverte. L'hématocrite postopératoire a été évalué, et la perte de sang calculée à l'aide de la formule de Gross modifiée. Le taux de transfusion a été documenté. RÉSULTATS: Cinquante-six patients ont participé à cette étude et ont été randomisés entre le groupe avec acide tranexamique et le groupe sans acide tranexamique. L'âge moyen des patients du groupe acide tranexamique était de 66,07 ±7,08 ans et était comparable à celui du groupe sans acide tranexamique qui était de 66,50 ± 8,80 ans (P =0,842). La perte sanguine totale médiane était plus faible dans le groupe avec acide tranexamique (502 ml, IQR 613) que dans le groupe sans acide tranexamique (801 ml, IQR 1069). La différence de la perte de sang médiane entre les deux groupes était de 299 ml (U 275, P 0,055). Le taux de transfusion sanguine était inférieur dans le groupe acide tranexamique (6 patients, 21%) par rapport au groupe sans acide tranexamique (11 patients, 39%), (P =0,146). Il n'y avait pas de différence dans les taux de complication entre les deux groupes. CONCLUSION: L'utilisation de l'acide tranexamique chez les patients subissant une prostatectomie simple ouverte a montré une tendance à la réduction de la perte de sang peropératoire et un besoin moindre de transfusion sanguine. Mots clés: Hypertrophie bénigne de la prostate, Prostatectomie simple ouverte, Hémorragie, Acide tranexamique.

Correlation between bladder wall thickness and uroflowmetry in West African patients with benign prostatic enlargement.

Background: Pressure flow urodynamic study remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction; however, their use is limited by their relative unavailability in our environment, cost, and invasiveness. Measurement of bladder wall thickness (BWT) by transabdominal ultrasonography is a promising tool that can be used to diagnose bladder outlet obstruction in our environment where pressure-flow urodynamic study is not readily available. Objective: The study aimed to correlate BWT with uroflowmetry and to establish a BWT cut-off in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic enlargement. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective one-year study of patients with LUTS due to benign prostatic enlargement. The patients were divided into obstructed and non-obstructed groups with Q- max of 10 ml/s serving as the cut-off value. Receiver Operator Curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the performance of BWT in diagnosing BOO. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The mean BWT and Q-max were 4.53 ± 2.70 mm and 15.06 ± 9.43 ml/s. There was a negative correlation between BWT and Q-max (r = -0.452, P = 0.000), Q-average (r = -0.336, P = 0.000), and voided volume (r = -0.228, P = 0.046). A BWT cut-off of 5.85 mm was found to be the best threshold to differentiate obstructed from non-obstructed patients with a sensitivity and specificity of 70 and 88.2 percent respectively. Conclusion: Bladder wall thickness showed an inverse relationship with maximum flow rate with high sensitivity and specificity. This non-invasive test can be used as a screening tool for BOO in our setting, where the pressure flow urodynamic study is not readily available.

Urologic Day Case Surgery at a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A 5-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the practice of day case surgery (DCS) is an attractive and appealing one with widespread acceptability because of numerous benefits. AIM: This study aimed at presenting our experience with urologic DCS in a tertiary healthcare center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 5-year review of all day-case urologic surgeries at our tertiary healthcare center was carried out. Data on patients' biodata including age and sex, diagnoses, indications and procedures performed, types of anesthesia, complications, admission and re-admission history were obtained from theatre records and patients' case notes. Data were analyzed using PASW Statistics version 18.0 and results presented in table and charts. RESULTS: A total number of 1277 of the 1825 urologic surgeries which took place during the study period were performed as day cases giving a proportion of 67.8%. The age range was 11 days to 94 years. The most commonly performed DCS are prostate biopsy, cystoscopy and varicocelectomy in 368 (28.8%), 165 (12.9%) and 163 (12.8%) patients respectively. Local anesthesia with or without sedation was the most commonly used in 981 (76.8%) cases. Twenty-four (1.9%) patients required unplanned admission for complications, 18 (1.4%), delayed completion of surgery, 4 (0.3%) and delayed recovery from anesthesia, 2 (0.16%). Three (0.2%) of these patients were re-admitted for management of sepsis following prostate biopsy. CONCLUSION: This study like numerous others demonstrated the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of DCS. To meet up with the global trends in DCS in Nigeria, there is need for investment in infrastructure and adoption of minimally invasive techniques to allow incorporation of more complex cases in the range of procedures offered as DCS.

An evaluation of usefulness of prostate specific antigen and digital rectal examination in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in an unscreened population:experience in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) in the diagnosis of cancer of the prostate (CaP) amongst unscreened patients. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study 168 unscreened men who were referred for evaluation for CaP. They all had a 10-core extended transrectal prostatic needle biopsy using size 16 Tru Cut needle for either an elevated serum total PSA of > 4 ng/ml or abnormal DRE findings or both. Overall cancer detection rate was determined and detection rates were determined separately for patients with elevated PSA with normal DRE, abnormal DRE with normal PSA and those with both indications. The performances of each indication were determined separately and in combination in terms of their sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy. The results were compared amongst patients with different indications for biopsy. RESULTS: The overall cancer detection rate was 44.0%. Detection rates in patients with elevated PSA with normal DRE and abnormal DRE with normal PSA were 30.0% and 17.4% respectively. There was statistically significant increased detection of 61.2% amongst patients with both indications. The overall sensitivities of PSA, DRE and combination of both were 94.6%, 75.7% and 70.3% respectively while the specificities were 20.2%, 44.7% and 64.9% respectively. The accuracies of PSA, DRE and combination of both indications were 53%, 58% and 67.3% respectively while the PPVs were 48.3%, 51.9% and 61.2% respectively. Mean Gleason score was 6.82 while the overall complication rate was 23.2% CONCLUSION: Neither PSA nor DRE is sensitive, specific, predictive or accurate enough on its own to be an ideal screening or diagnostic test for CaP. Therefore, optimal evaluation of patients with suspected CaP is best achieved with both even in unscreened populations.

Clinical and proctosigmoidoscopic findings in patients with anorectal sepsis in a private health facility in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal sepsis is a distressing condition which is sometimes inadequatelytreated. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical and prostosigmoidoscopic findings in patients with anorectal sepsis seen by the authors over a 5 year period as well as identifying the commonly performed procedures. METHOD: A review of all the records of patients seen by the authors over a 5 year period was carried out. The demographic pattern was determined including the age, sex, mode of presentation, and associated co-morbidities. The detailed perianal and protosigmoidoscopic findings were also noted RESULTS: 45 males and 10 females were seen during the study period. The mean age incidence was 43.4 years. The commonest mode of presentation was perianal discharge and pain in over 85% of the patients seen. The low anal fistula was the commonest pathology on proctosigmoidoscopy while abscesses and external haemorrhoids were the other commonly occurring lesions found . Fistulotomy was the most commonly perfomed procedure while diabetes was the most common comorbidity. CONCLUSION: Anorectal sepsis most commonly affects males in the fifth decade of life. Thorough evaluation and adequate operative treatment appear to result in satisfactory early outcome.

Intravesical migration of a failed and forgotten intrauterine contraceptive device after 20 years of insertion--a case report.

Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is a commonly utilized reversible contraceptive technique especially in the developing world. Though effective, it is not immune to complications. Migration of the device is a rare but serious complication which may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. We report a case of a 45yr old woman who had IUCD inserted 20 years earlier and had forgotten about it since she subsequently had three full term pregnancies leading to successful vaginal deliveries. The forgotten IUCD was discovered incidentally during evaluation of the woman for haematuria as it had migrated to the wall of the bladder. The case is reported to increase index of suspicion as detailed clinical history is important in evaluating cases of haematuria.

Detection of prostate cancer: comparison of cancer detection rates of sextant and extended ten-core biopsy protocols.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the cancer detection rates of sextant and ten- core biopsy protocol amongst patients being evaluated for prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study involving 125 men with suspicion of prostate cancer. They all had an extended 10-core transrectal digitally-guided prostatic biopsy using Tru-Cut needle. Indications for biopsy were presence of one or more of the following: elevated Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), abnormal Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) findings and abnormal prostate scan. Sextant biopsies were collected first, followed by four lateral biopsies in all patients. Both groups of specimen were kept and analyzsed separately by the same pathologist. The cancer detection rates of sextant and extended (combination of sextant and lateral) 10-core biopsy protocols were determined and compared. Pearson's Chi square and McNemar tests at two degrees of freedom with level of significance set at 0.05 ( P <0.005) were used to determine the statistical significance. RESULTS: The overall cancer detection rate of 10-core prostate biopsy was 48.8%. Of all positive biopsies, the sextant biopsy protocol detected 52 cancers (85.2%) while the lateral biopsy protocol detected 58 cases (95.1%). Three (3) cancers were detected by the sextant protocol only while the lateral protocol detected nine (9) cancers where sextant technique was negative for malignancy. Ten-core extended protocol showed a statistically significant increase of 14.8% over the traditional sextant. (P=0.046). The overall complication rate of ten-core biopsy was 26.4% and the procedure was well tolerated in most patients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that a ten-core prostate biopsy protocol significantly improves cancer detection and should be considered as the optimum biopsy protocol.

Is extended biopsy protocol justified in all patients with suspected prostate cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the significance of an extended 10-core transrectal biopsy protocol in different categories of patients with suspected prostate cancer using digital guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 125 men who were being evaluated for prostate cancer. They all had an extended 10-core digitally guided transrectal prostatic biopsy done for either an elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or an abnormal digital rectal examination finding or both. Sextant biopsy samples were collected first, followed by additional four lateral biopsies in all patients. Both groups of specimens were analyzed separately. The cancer detection rates of both sextant and extended 10-core biopsy protocols at different PSA levels and digital rectal examination (DRE) findings were determined and compared. The level of significance of difference in cancer detection was determined using Pearson's Chi square test with level of significance set at <0.05. RESULTS: The overall cancer detection by the extended technique was 61 (48.8%) cases while the sextant protocol detected cancer in 52 cases. The 10-core extended protocol yielded an increase in cancer detection rate of 14.8% but the improvement in detection rate was only statistically significant in the sub-set of patients with PSA between 4.1 and 10 ng/mL, with or without abnormality on DRE, with an overall increase detection rate of 33%.(P=0.04) CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that a 10-core prostate biopsy protocol significantly improves cancer detection in patients with suspected early cancer. It should therefore be the optimum biopsy protocol for patients with gray-zone PSA value, with or without abnormal DRE.

Bladder stones in catheterized spinal cord-injured patients in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the incidence of bladder stones in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to assess if catheter encrustation or positive urinary culture of Proteus mirabilis is predictive of bladder stones. BACKGROUND: Bladder stones are common urological complication in those with SCI managed with indwelling urinary catheter. Detection and removal of bladder stones are important to prevent possible further complications. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasound scan was performed in persons with SCI seen from 1st January to 31st December 2009 who had indwelling urethral catheter for at least 3-month post-injury. Indwelling urethral catheters were examined for encrustation at the time of removal, urine culture taken specifically for P. mirabilis and ultrasound scan done to detect bladder stones. RESULTS: There were 89 patients with spinal cord injury and 68 (76.4%) patients were evaluated during the review period. Twenty-nine (42.6%) patients had bladder stones and 22 (32.3%) patients had catheter encrustation. Of the 22 patients with catheter encrustation, 19 (86.3%) also had bladder stones. Forty-six (67.6%) patients had no catheter encrustation. Of these, 7 (14.7%) were found to have bladder stones. Thirty-seven (38.2%) urine cultures were positive for P. mirabilis. Of these 37 (54.4%) patients, 27 also had bladder stones. Catheter encrustation (P = 0.004) and a positive urine culture of P. mirabilis (P = 0.007) in patients with indwelling urinary catheter is highly predictive of the presence of bladder stone. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a large number of SCI patients have an indwelling urethral catheter and suggests that ultrasound scan for the presence of stone should be schedule in a catheterized SCI patient if catheter encrustation or a positive urine culture of P. mirabilis is noted.

Intravesical migration of a failed and forgotten intrauterine contraceptive device after 20 years of insertion--a case report.

Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is a commonly utilized reversible contraceptive technique especially in the developing world. Though effective, it is not immune to complications. Migration of the device is a rare but serious complication which may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. We report a case of a 45 yr old woman who had IUCD inserted 20 years earlier and had forgotten about it since she subsequently had three full-term pregnancies leading to successful vaginal deliveries. The forgotten IUCD was discovered incidentally during evaluation of the woman for haematuria as it had migrated to the wall of the bladder. The case is reported to increase index of suspicion as detailed clinical history is important in evaluating cases of haematuria.

The value of percentage free prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the detection of prostate cancer among patients with intermediate levels of total PSA (4.0-10.0 ng/mL) in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of percentage free prostate-specific antigen (%fPSA) in the detection of prostate cancer among Nigerian men with an intermediate total PSA level (4-10 ng/mL), and to show if the optimum threshold for biopsy is different from Caucasian values when the widely used (six-core, digitally directed) prostate biopsy protocol in Nigerians is applied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 105 patients aged >50 years, with a palpably benign prostate gland and intermediate levels of total PSA (4-10 ng/mL). These patients had a free PSA assay and a transrectal digitally directed six-core biopsy of the prostate. The %fPSA was calculated and the optimum threshold value for detecting prostate cancer was determined. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of the patients was 64.4 (6.6) years and their mean (SD) total PSA level was 6.6 (1.7) ng/mL. Of these men 14 (13.3%) had cancer of the prostate detected by the prostate biopsy. The %fPSA level related directly to sensitivity values but inversely to the specificity and the positive predictive values. The best threshold of %fPSA for detecting cancer in these men was <40%, with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 93.4% and a positive predictive value of 70% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In evaluating Nigerian patients with a palpably benign prostate gland and within the intermediate total PSA range, when digitally directed biopsy protocol is adopted, a %fPSA threshold of <40% will detect significant percentage of those with prostate cancer, with a minimal number of unnecessary biopsies. This value differs from that reported in western studies in which transrectal ultrasonography-directed biopsy was used.

Gross haematuria among adult Nigerians: current trend.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine if there is any change in the common causes of gross haematuria among adults Nigerians and to determine what proportion of these aetiologies is due to urological malignancies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive adults with presenting with gross haematuria seen in our centre were studied prospectively between February 2006 and January 2007. All patients had detailed clinical and diagnostic evaluation including urine cytology, flexible/rigid urethrocystoscopy, ultrasonography and intravenous urography to determine the causes of their haematuria. Other special investigations including CT scan and tissue biopsies were only used in selected patients as indicated. RESULTS: The cause of haematuria was determined in 74 patients (93.7%) while haematuria was of undetermined origin in 5 patients (6.3%). Fifteen different specific diagnoses were made as the causes of haematuria in this study. The three commonest individual causes of haematuria were benign prostatic hyperplasia (30.4%), bladder carcinoma (12.6 %) and carcinoma of the prostate (10.1%). Urological malignancies were diagnosed in 29.1 % of the patients. The Urological malignancies detected were bladder cancers (12.6 %), prostate cancers (10.1%), renal Cell Carcinoma (5.1%) and urethral Carcinoma (1.3%). The incidence of the cancers increased with age; 82.6% of the patients with malignancies were aged 50years and above while only 17.4% were below 50 years of age (P= 0.045). Urological malignancies were also more common in men (73.9 %) than in women (26.1 %) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that there is changing trend in the aetiologies of gross haematuria among adult Nigerian patients with urological malignancies being now more prevalent than previously reported in our environment.

Pattern of breast masses in Lagos: a private health facility review of 189 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: The increasing awareness concerning breast cancer has led to significant interest in breast masses in general. As a result there is considerable interest in the clinicopathologic studies of breast masses in various populations. OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic pattern of breast masses at a private health facility in Lagos, Nigeria. METHOD: The records of all patients who presented between January 1993 and December 2002 with breast lumps at the Lagoon Hospital Apapa were reviewed. Their biodata, clinical presentation and histopathological diagnosis were retrieved. RESULTS: 189 consecutive patients were studied comprising of 180 females and nine males. The peak age incidence for benign disease was 21-30 years while it was 31-40 years for those with malignant masses. Majority (66.1%) presented with painless solitary lumps. 46 (77.2%) patients had benign lumps while 43 (22.8%) had malignant lesions. The commonest benign lesion was fibrocystic disease (47.9%) while infiltrating ductal carcinoma was the commonest pathological diagnosis in the malignant group (83.1%). CONCLUSION: From this study benign breast masses outnumber malignant ones by more than 3:1 in this population. The commonest pathological diagnosis was fibrocystic disease in benign lesions and infiltrating ductal carcinoma for malignant masses.

Genito-urinary system injuries in Lagos: pattern and general treatment outcome.

BACKGROUND: Genitourinary injuries (GUI) are relatively uncommon. Even though mortality from isolated injuries is rare, they are commonly associated with significant and life long morbidity. OBJECTIVE: This study is to assess the pattern of the injuries and the overall short term treatment outcome in our environment. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients diagnosed with genitourinary injuries seen by the Urology Unit through the Accident and Emergency, emergency referrals (or consultations) from the ward or theatre between June 2004 to February 2006 were included in the study. Information collected included demographic data, pattern of presentation, aetiology of injury, type of injury the type of treatment and the immediate outcome. RESULTS: There was a total of 61 injuries in 50 patients. Road traffic accidents was the commonest cause of GUI (58%) followed by straddle injuries (18%) and iatrogenic causes (12%) and miscellaneous (12%). The male- female ratio was 6:1. The urethral was also the most commonly injured organ (60.6%), followed by the kidney (11.5%). The testes were the least injured organs (1.6%). The blunt renal injuries and extraperitoneal bladder injuries were managed by non operative means while most other injuries were managed by surgical intervention. Immediate treatment outcome was satisfactory in most patients. There was one mortality. CONCLUSION: Most cases of GUI are preventable. Improved safety on the roads,'proper training of surgeons and attention to clinical and surgical details will go a long way in preventing GUI. Early intervention significantly reduces the morbidity and mortality.

Pattern of Breast Masses in Lagos: A Private Health Facility Review of 189 Consecutive Patients

BACKGROUND:The increasing awareness concerning breast cancer has led to significant interest in breast masses in general. As a result there is considerable interest in the clinicopathologic studies of breast masses in various populations. OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic pattern of breast masses at a private health facility in Lagos; Nigeria. METHOD: The records of all patients who presented between January 1993 and December 2002 with breast lumps at the Lagoon Hospital Apapa were reviewed. Their biodata; clinical presentation and histopathological diagnosis were retrieved. RESULTS: 189 consecutive patients were studied comprising of 180 females and nine males. The peak age incidence for benign disease was 21-30 years while it was 31-40 years for those with malignant masses. Majority (66.1) presented with painless solitary lumps. 46 (77.2) patients had benign lumps while 43 (22.8) had malignant lesions. The commonest benign lesion was fibrocystic disease (47.9) while infiltrating ductal carcinoma was the commonest pathological diagnosis in the malignant group (83.1). CONCLUSION: From this study benign breast masses outnumber malignant ones by more than 3:1 in this population. The commonest pathological diagnosis was fibrocystic disease in benign lesions and infiltrating ductal carcinoma for malignant masses

Prognostic factors in childhood intra-abdominal sepsis.

Over a 36-month period, prognostic factors in childhood intra-abdominal abscesses were evaluated in fifty-five Nigerian children (38 boys [69.1%] and 17 girls [30.9%] aged 2 months-15 years (mean 8.9, SD 4.3 years). The mortality rate was 20%. The adverse prognostic factors were: a high fever, a positive blood culture, subphrenic location of abscesses, abscesses associated with a typhoid perforation, post-operative abscesses, presence of organ impairment, and multiple abscesses occurring together in the same patient. The age of the patient, duration of illness before hospitalization as well as the number and type of microorganisms cultured from the abscess did not have any influence on the prognosis in the children in this study.

Amoebic recto-vaginal fistula--a case report and review of literature.

A case of amoebic recto-vaginal fistula is presented, with a review of literature on this rare complication of intestinal amoebiasis. A temporary defunctioning sigmoid colostomy was necessary. This in combination with oral metronidazole and tetracycline resulted in spontaneous closure of the fistulous tract. Non-traumatic recto-vaginal fistula poses a major diagnostic problem especially in the tropics where many granulomatous infections are endemic and could mimic carcinoma.

Childhood intussusception in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

A retrospective review of 41 intussusceptions encountered in 39 children seen over an 8-year period in Ile-Ife, Nigeria is presented. Most cases (61.5%) occurred in infancy. This contrasts with previous reports from Nigeria where intussusception has been presented as being commoner in older children. Vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive crying and passage of bloodstained stools were the main presenting symptoms. An abdominal mass was palpable in only 28.2% of patients. Generally, patients presented late in hospital with only two (5.1%) arriving within 24 hours of the onset of illness. Hydrostatic reduction with barium enema was attempted in these two patients, and it successfully reduced the intussusception in one and caused partial reduction in the other. Nineteen patients (46.3%) required bowel resection. There were nine deaths, giving a mortality rate of 23.1%. The relatively high bowel resection and mortality rates were attributed to the delay in seeking medical treatment.