Biomedical subjects

L B Chirdan

Publications and source records attributed to L B Chirdan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Incarcerated umbilical hernia in children.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical hernia is common in children. Complications from umbilical hernias are thought to be rare and the natural history is spontaneous closure within 5 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of the medical records of a series of 23 children who presented with incarcerated umbilical hernias at our institution over an 8-year period. RESULTS: Fifty-two children with umbilical hernias were seen in the hospital over the period. Twenty-three (44.2%) had incarceration. Seventeen (32.7%) had acute incarceration while 6 (11.5%) had recurrent incarceration. There were 16 girls and 7 boys. The ages of the children with acute incarceration ranged from 3 weeks to 12 years (median 4 years), while the ages of those with recurrent incarceration ranged from 3-15 years (median 8.5 years). Incarceration occurred in hernias of more than 1.5 cm in diameter (in those whose defect size was measured). Twenty-one children (15 with acute and all six with recurrent incarceration) underwent repair of the umbilical hernia using standard methods. The parents of two children with acute incarceration declined surgery after spontaneous reduction of the hernia in one and taxis in the other. One boy had gangrenous bowel containing Meckel's diverticulum inside the sac, for which bowel resection with end-to-end anastomosis was done. Operation led to disappearance of pain in all 6 children with recurrent incarceration. Superficial wound infection occurred in one child. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Incarcerated umbilical hernia is not as uncommon as thought. Active observation of children with umbilical hernia is necessary to prevent morbidity from incarceration.

Child↗

PubMed2006

Persistent umbilical discharge in infants and children.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical discharge is not an unusual presentation in infants and children. However, the evaluation and management are rarely discussed. METHOD: A retrospective review of 18 patients presenting with persistent umbilical discharge over a period of 22 years, excluding neonates with omphalitis. RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged between 11 days and 9 years. Presentation was usually discharge of clear, serous or purulent fluid or faecal matter from the umbilicus, sometimes dating back to the neonatal period. Evaluation consisted of bacteriology, fistulogram (one patient) and histopathology. The cause of discharge was patent vitello-intestinal duct in 11 patients, umbilical granuloma in three, umbilical sinus in two and patent urachus and osteomyelitis of the ischium in one each. Definitive treatment was exploration and complete excision of the lesion and antibiotics. Two patients with patent vitello-intestinal duct died, one before surgery from hypokalaemia and sepsis, and the other from anaesthetic complications. CONCLUSION: There is a need for early referral and treatment in patients with persistent umbilical discharge. Conservative treatment is usually not successful as the common causes would normally require complete excision.

Child↗

PubMed2006

Anorectal anomaly: a review of 82 cases seen at JUTH, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The management of anorectal anomaly remains a challenge to Surgeons. This study was carried out to determine the pattern and outcome of management of anorectal malformations (ARM) in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical and operative records of consecutive children with anorectal anomaly managed between October 1990 and September 2000 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 82 patients, (57.3%) males and 35 (42.3%) females (m:f=1.3:1). There were 20 (24.4%) cases each of the high and intermediate types, 40 (48.8%) low variety and 2 (2.4%) cases of persistent cloaca. The high type was proportionately commoner in the males. Less than one-third presented within 24 hours. Eighty three percent of patients (mainly males) presented in acute intestinal obstruction. Passage of stools from abnormal sites and "imperforate" anus were complaints in 60 (73.1%) patients each. A total of 63 patients had definitive corrective procedure. Four patients with stenotic anus were treated by serial anal dilatations while 29 with low anomaly had anoplasty during the neonatal period. Twenty eight patients with intermediate or high anomalies or persistent cloaca had definitive repair or pull-through operations carried out 6-12 months after an initial colostomy. The definitive pull-through operations included abdominoperineal pull-through in 11 patients, PSARP in 15, while 2 girls with persistent cloaca had posterior sagittal anorectovaginoure-throplasty (PSARVUP). Twenty nine children were fully continent of stools after surgery; three patients developed occasional faecal soiling; while six patients had faecal incontinence. CONCLUSION: Anorectal anomaly is common, but presentation is late in our environment. Although mortality rate was high (26%), early results of definitive operation among survivors were generally good after a mean follow-up period of 19 months.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Acquired rectal fistula in human immunodeficiency virus-positive children: a causal or casual relationship?

Acquired rectal fistula in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive children is a new and worrisome entity. The aim of this paper is to highlight the relationship between HIV infection and acquired rectal fistula (RF) in children in order to create awareness among clinicians who attend to children. Over a 1-year period, 11 girls aged 4 weeks-11 months (median 5 months) with acquired RF were managed at our institution. Ten were HIV-positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by Western blot test. One child defaulted before the test. All the mothers and three fathers of the 10 children were seropositive for HIV. Bronchopneumonia, otitis media, oral thrush, diarrhoea, and lymphadenopathy were common associations. Treatment was essentially conservative because the result of surgical intervention was disappointing. Two of the infants and one of the fathers are now dead from full-blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Acquired RF seems to be a sign of HIV infection in children. It will be necessary to screen any child presenting with acquired RF for HIV infection.

Causality↗

PubMed2004

Intestinal atresia: management problems in a developing country.

Over a 13-year period, 24 children with intestinal atresia were managed at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. Intestinal atresia ranks as the second most common cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction (after anorectal malformation) in our hospital. Five children had duodenal obstruction (two atresia, two duodenal webs, one annular pancreas), 17 had jejunoileal atresia, and two had colonic atresia. Fourteen were boys, and 10 were girls (M:F: 1.17:1). The median age at presentation to the surgeon was 6 days (range: 1 day-12 years). The most common presenting features were bilious vomiting and abdominal distension. Six patients did not pass meconium within the first 24 h of birth. The median weight at presentation was 2.6 kg (range: 1.1 kg-5.0 kg). Seven patients (four with jejunoileal atresia and three with duodenal obstruction) had associated congenital anomalies. Diagnostic investigation was plain abdominal x-ray, showing double-bubble gas shadows in duodenal atresia and varying degrees of air-fluid levels in jejunoileal and colonic atresias. An upper gastrointestinal series was done in three patients and a barium enema in one. Retrocolic duodenojejunostomy was done for all patients with duodenal atresia and annular pancreas, duodenotomy and web excision for those with duodenal webs, and resection with end-to-end anastomosis for those with jejunoileal atresia. One child with atresia involving the whole ileum and the colon had a jejunorectal anastomosis, while the other child with colonic atresia had caecostomy followed later by ileorectal anastomosis. Ten neonates died, giving a mortality rate of 41.7%. Mortality from intestinal atresia is still high in our environment, due mainly to lack of neonatal intensive care facilities.

Colonic Diseases↗

PubMed2004

Prevalence of umbilical hernia in a private school admission-seeking Nigerian children.

BACKGROUND: Despite the claims that umbilical hernia (UH) is common among Nigerian children, the socio-economic class-related prevalence or incidence rate of UH in the Nigerian children is not known. We therefore undertook this study to determine the prevalence of UHs among Nigerian children of high socio-economic class. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This 7- years prospective study assessment of the prevalence of primary umbilical hernias among a private school admission seeking Nigerian children. Clinical evaluations of the umbilicus were conducted on 7,968 Nigerian children, attending interview into Nigerian Airforce Military schools from across the country. RESULTS: Umbilical hernia was present in 102 (1.3% ) out of 7968 children, giving a prevalence of 12.8 per 1,000. Fifty-three (52.% ) were boys and 49 (48% ) were girls; their ages ranged from 6 to 9 years (mean 6.5 years). Umbilical hernia was 1.4 times as common in the girls as in the boys, with a prevalence of 15.3 per 1,000 and 11.1 per 1,000, respectively. The overall prevalence in this study is comparatively lower than those previously reported. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that there is a low prevalence rate of UH among the children of high socio-economic class in Nigeria.

Child↗

PubMed2004

Thyroglossal duct lesions in childhood--a review of experience in Nigerian children.

This is a retrospective study of 36 children with thyroglossal duct lesions managed at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria, between 1993 and 2003. The aim was to determine the pattern of presentation and outcome of management. The majority of patients presented with a chronic thyroglossal sinus with associated recurrent inflammation. The location and relationship of the lesions to the hyoid bone were similar to those encountered in the rest of the world. Despite their well-documented clinical features, thyroglossal duct lesions were misdiagnosed in some patients. The main complications were surgical site infections and recurrence. A plea is made for clinicians to pay attention to clinical and operative details so as to diagnose these lesions accurately and manage them properly.

Child↗

PubMed2003

Acalculous cholecystitis in Nigerian children.

Sixteen children with acalculous cholecystitis (AC) were treated over a 9-year period (13 male and 3 female). Their ages ranged from 8 to 18 years (median 11). Eight (50%) presented with complications (perforation 4, gangrene 2, empyema 2); 13 (80%) presented with acute AC with a duration of symptoms of 2 weeks or less while 3 (20%) presented with chronic AC with symptoms present for more than 3 months. The diagnosis was made by ultrasound except in the patients with complications, who were diagnosed at laparotomy. Salmonella typhi was cultured in the bile and blood in 2 cases and the Widal titre was significantly elevated in 4 others. One child had chronic blockage of the cystic duct by a lymph node; in 9 there was no identifiable cause. Open cholecystectomy was successfully performed in 15 cases, while 1 child was managed non-operatively. The need for early diagnosis of cholecystitis in children is obvious if the potentially life-threatening complications of perforation and gangrene are to be avoided.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Sigmoid volvulus and ileosigmoid knotting in children.

Six children with acute intestinal obstruction from sigmoid volvulus (SV) (n=2) and ileosigmoid knotting (ISK) (n=4) are reported. The median age at presentation was 4.5 years (range 2 weeks-15 years). Abdominal pain, distention, vomiting, and constipation were the main features. Two patients with ISK had bowel gangrene. In three children there was no identifiable cause; two had a narrow attachment of the sigmoid mesocolon with redundant colon and one had adhesive bands. Treatment was by resection and colostomy in five cases and derotation of the torted colon in one. One child with SV died following a wound infection. There was no recurrence. SV and ISK are uncommon in children. There are usually no features specific for these conditions, and the diagnosis is established at laparotomy. The prognosis is good when there is aggressive resuscitation and prompt surgery.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Hirschsprung's disease in the newborn: experience in Zaria, Nigeria.

In a 10-year retrospective review of 15 newborns aged < or = 42 days presenting with Hirschsprung's disease, there were 12 boys and three girls aged 4-42 days (median 18 days). Twelve babies presented with complete intestinal obstruction. In 12 babies, there was a history of delayed passage of meconium (after 2-6 days). One baby each developed caecal and sigmoid perforation. Barium enemas in three babies without complete intestinal obstruction suggested Hirschsprung's disease in two. Following resuscitation, the two infants who had perforated had caecostomy and sigmoid repair with right transverse colostomy, respectively. One infant had ileostomy for total colonic aganglionosis associated with ileal atresia. All the others had initial diversion colostomy. Rectal biopsies confirmed Hirschsprung's disease in all the babies. The ileum was injured during colostomy in one case, requiring repair. Postoperative anastomotic leakage occurred in the infant with ileal injury and colostomy necrosis occurred in another infant. Five babies (33%) died, three from overwhelming infection (caecal perforation, sigmoid perforation, ileal injury), one from hypokalaemia (ileostomy) and one from an unidentified cause. Few cases of Hirschsprung's disease present in the newborn period in our environment and, when they do, they usually present with complete intestinal obstruction with high morbidity and mortality.

Biopsy↗

PubMed2001

Meckel's diverticulitis due to Taenia saginata: case report.

A thirteen-year old girl presented with acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain for which evaluation suggested appendicitis. At laparotomy, the appendix was normal but a Meckel's diverticulum with an impacted Taenia saginata (tapeworm) was found. The diverticulum was excised and histopathology confirmed diverticulitis from the parasite. Though Meckel's diverticulitis due to parasites has been reported, this is usually from ascaris. Tapeworm causing this complication is rare.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed2001

Childhood achalasia in Zaria, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: To study the presentation, management and outcome of achalasia of the oesophagus in children. DESIGN: A retrospective case study. SETTING: Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. SUBJECTS: Seven children managed for achalasia of the oesophagus in a period of 19 years. RESULTS: There were six boys and one girl. The median age at presentation was ten years (range three months to fifteen years). The median duration of symptoms before presentation was 20 months (range: 2-24 months). Three children were treated on several occasions for pneumonia before the diagnosis was made. Dysphagia, vomiting and regurgitation were the main presenting symptoms. Diagnosis was by barium oesophagogram. Six had modified Heller's myotomy via celiotomy and a Thal fundoplication in a three month old. Transthoracic Heller's myotomy was done in the seventh child. There was complete resolution of symptoms in six children. One patient had post-operative retrosternal pain, which was controlled by oral nifedipine. CONCLUSION: Achalasia of the oesophagus should be excluded in children with recurrent chest infection. Modified Heller's myotomy without antireflux procedure via the abdominal route is effective in relieving symptoms of achalasia in children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Neonatal intestinal perforation in a developing country.

Between 1990 and 1999, 14 neonates with intestinal perforation were treated at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. Median age at presentation was 9 days and median weight 2.65 kg. Five had high anorectal malformation, three Hirschsprung's disease and two ruptured exomphalos with bowel strangulation. Gastroschisis, strangulated inguinal hernia, ileal atresia and umbilical sepsis with evisceration accounted for one case each. Two of the perforations were iatrogenic during colostomy construction. Seven perforations were in the small bowel and seven in the colorectum. Three neonates had oedema and tenderness of the anterior abdominal wall, and pneumoperitoneum was seen in abdominal radiographs in two. All the infants had laparotomy, four under local anaesthesia, after resuscitation. Three had simple suture of the perforation, five had resection with primary anastomosis and six had exteriorization colostomy. Overall, eight (59%) died, five with colorectal perforation and three with small bowel perforation.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2001

Necrotizing fasciitis of the scalp in a neonate.

We report an 11-day-old baby who presented with necrotizing fasciitis of the scalp from which Escherichia coli was cultured. Treatment consisted of administration of parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotics and debridement. Skin grafting of the resulting scalp defect was not permitted by the parents. The wound healed with scar tissue over 3 months.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2000

Blunt abdominal trauma in children: epidemiology, management, and management problems in a developing country.

Trauma is the leading cause of death in children in developed countries. In tropical Africa, it is only beginning to assume importance as infections and malnutrition are controlled. In developed countries, the availability of advanced imaging modalities has now reduced the necessity for laparotomy to less than 10% following blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) in children. This report reviews the epidemiology, management, and unnecessary laparotomies for pediatric BAT in a developing country in a retrospective review of 57 children aged 15 years or less at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria over 12 years. The average age was 9 years and the male-female ratio 3.8:1. Seventy-four percent (74%) of abdominal injuries in children were due to blunt trauma. The commonest causes of injury were road traffic accidents (RTA) (57%), 88% in pedestrians and 59% in children aged 5-9 years. Falls were the cause of trauma in 36%, 60% of them aged 10-15 years. Other causes of injury were sports in 5% and animals in 2%. Diagnosis was clinical, supported by diagnostic peritoneal lavage or paracentesis. Two patients had ultrasonography, and none had computed tomography. Fifty-three patients had a laparotomy, 2 died before surgery, 1 was managed nonoperatively, and in 1 surgery was declined. There were 34 splenic injuries, 20 treated by splenic preservation, splenectomy in 13, and non-operative in 1. Fourteen gastrointestinal injuries were treated in 12 patients. Of 9 hepatic injuries, 4 were minor and were left untreated, 3 were repaired, 1 was packed to arrest hemorrhage, and a lacerated accessory liver was excised. Four injuries to the urinary tract (bladder contusion 2, bladder rupture 1, ruptured hydronephrotic kidney 1) were treated accordingly. There were 4 retroperitoneal hematomas associated with other intra-abdominal injuries and 2 pancreatic contusions. One lacerated gallbladder was treated by cholecystectomy and a ruptured left hemidiaphragm was repaired transperitoneally. In retrospect, 27 (51%) patients could have been managed by observation (splenic injury 20, liver injury 5, bladder contusion 2) using advanced imaging modalities. One patient developed an intra-abdominal abscess following splenorrhaphy. The average hospital stay was 17 days. Mortality was 8 (14.5%) from gastric perforation (3), liver injury (2), splenic injury (1), and 2 patients died before surgery. BAT in this population results predominantly from RTA in pedestrians. Laparotomy may be avoided in 51% of cases if advanced imaging modalities are readily available.

Abdominal Injuries↗

PubMed2000

Ruptured exomphalos and gastroschisis: a retrospective analysis of morbidity and mortality in Nigerian children.

The survival of infants with major abdominal-wall defects (AWD) has improved over the years in developed countries. In Zaria, northern Nigeria, survival from intact exomphalos (EX), has improved with the adoption of non-operative management. Ruptured EX (REX) and gastroschisis (GS), however, remain problematic. This is a report of the mortality in REX and GS in a retrospective review of 16 infants with REX and 14 with GS managed over 10 years at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. The median age at presentation was 3 days and 24 h for REX and GS, respectively; 29 of the 30 patients were delivered at home. Two patients with REX and 4 with GS had associated anomalies involving mostly the gastrointestinal tract. Bowel or omental strangulation occurred in 13 patients, resulting in gangrene in 8. Fascial closure was achieved in 20 patients, skin closure only in 4, and in 4 improvised silo coverage was used, the latter associated with high infection rate. Neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were not available. The overall mortality was 18.6% (gastroschisis 10, ruptured exomphalos 8, 11 from sepsis and 7 due to respiratory embarrassment). The management of these AWDs thus continues to be problematic in our environment, and mortality remains high. Provision of more modern supportive facilities (NICU and TPN) may improve the survival in our and similar environments.

Gastroschisis↗

PubMed2000

Neonatal intestinal obstruction in Zaria, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To study the aetiology, morbidity and mortality of neonatal intestinal obstruction. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. SUBJECTS: One hundred and fifty one neonates (< or = 28 days) undergoing surgery for mechanical intestinal obstruction. RESULTS: The male/female ratio was 3:1 and median age at presentation was four days (range five hours-28 days). Anorectal malformation was the commonest cause, 104 (68.9%), 86.5% of which were high anomalies and 13.5% low; the median age at presentation was three days. Fifty two per cent of colostomies for the high anomalies were performed using general anaesthesia and 48% local anaesthetic, but there was an increasing use of local anaesthesia over the years. Hirschsprung's disease accounted for 11 (7.3%) of the cases, representing 20% of all patients presenting with Hirschsprung's disease to this hospital; the median age was six days and in two patients the caecum and sigmoid colon respectively had perforated; nine patients had colostomy, one caecostomy and one ileostomy (total colonic aganglionosis). Eleven (7.3%) patients had incarcerated or strangulated ingunial hernia (ten) and congenital ventral hernia (one); the hernias were repaired in all patients and three required intestinal resection for gangrene, two of which had ipsilateral testicular gangrene, necessitating orchidectomy. Intestinal atresia was the fourth common cause of obstruction ten (6.7%), eight of which were jejunoileal atresias and two duodenal and the median age was seven days; one atresia was associated with Hirschsprung's disease and had ileostomy, all other jejunoileal atresias were resected and duodenoduodenostomy was performed for the duodenal atresias. Other less common causes of neonatal intestinal obstruction were incarcerated exomphalos, malrotation, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, annular pancreas, and idiopathic ileal volvulus and meconium ileus respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in sixteen of 95 patients (16.8%) including colostomy or ileostomy complications 11, wound infection three and anastomotic dehiscence (two). The overall mortality was 21.1%, 70% from overwhelming infection and 30% respiratory embarrassment; the mortality from the various conditions were Hirschsprung's disease 43%, intestinal atresia 40%, incarcerated exomphalos 40%, anorectal malformation 18.5% and the only patient with volvulus died. CONCLUSION: The morbidity and mortality of neonatal intestinal obstruction in this hospital has improved over previous years due largely to meticulous resuscitation before surgery but the problems of late presentation and poor neonatal intensive care facilities persist. The findings are at variance with those in developed countries.

Female↗

PubMed1999

Amputation of the penis by human bite: a case report.

A 3-year-old boy had his penis amputated by being bitten by a neglected psychiatric individual and presented late with urethral stricture. Initially, he had suprapubic diversion of urine and later meatoplasty. A plea is made for vigilance with children and appropriate care of individuals with psychiatric problems.

Amputation, Traumatic↗