Empyema Thoracis in Zaria; a Preliminary Report

Aims and ObjectiveTo study the nature and pattern of presentation of empyema thoracis (and the association between duration or time of presentation and educational level and level of income respectively), the aetiology, and different treatment outcomes.                                                                Materials and MethodsA prospective study of all patients who presented with Empyema Thoracis between January 2008 to May 2010 was carried out at ABUTH Zaria. Thediagnosis of empyema thoracis was entertained from either the presence of pus in the pleural space or the culture of actively multiplying bacteria in a serous Data was analysed with SPSS 15.ResultsA total of 26 patients were managed, 19(73.1%) men, 7(26.9%) women. There were 4(15.4%) acute and 22(84.6%) chronic empyema. One male had bilateral chronic empyema giving 13 right-sided, and 14 left-sided empyema. Tuberculosis was responsible for 26.9% of the cases, 38.4% were postpneumonic, while postoperative, and AIDS were each responsible for 11.5% and trauma 7.7%. Five patients had decortication, 2 had rib resection and open drainage, and the remainder were managed on tube thoracostomy. Two patients were discharged against medical advice, 6 were lost during follow-up. Fourteen (53.8%) were educated (1 acute and 13 chronic). Twelve (46.2 %) were uneducated (3 acute and 9 chronic). Fourteen patients (2 acute and 12 chronic) earned average or above average income while 12 (46.2%) earned below average income (2 acute and 10 chronic). There was no association between duration of presenting complaints and level of education or level of income (Fisher's exact test was, 0.306 and 1.000, respectively) at a P value of 0.05.                          ConclusionEmpyema thoracis is persistent and prevalent in our environment despite improvements in diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Most patients present late and this is not related to income or level of education. The commonest organism isolated from empyema fluid in developing countries is Staphylococcus aureus but most empyema fluid are sterile due to prolong antibiotic use. The factors responsible for delayed presentation, the pattern of presentation and the pathology and outcome of treatment is part of an ongoing study.Key Words: Empyema Thoracis, Presentation, Aetiology, Treatmen

Indications and Complications of Tube Thoracostomy with Improvised Underwater Seal Bottles

Background: Tube thoracostomy is a lifesaving and frequently performed procedure in hospitals where the expertise and necessary tools are available. Where the ideal drainage receptacle is unavailable, the underwater seal device can be improvised with bottled water plastic can especially in emergency situations. Aims and Objectives: To determine the frequencies of the various indications and complications of tube thoracostomy with improvised underwater seal. Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional study with a structured proforma was used for assessment over a 3‑year period (May 2010‑April 2013). The proforma was filled at the time of the procedure by the performing surgeon and patients were followed up with serial chest X‑rays until certified cured. A 1.5 L bottled water container was used as the underwater seal receptacle. The data was analysed with SPSS 15 software program. Results: A total of 167 patients were managed. There were 106 (63.5%) males and 61 (36.5%) females. The mean age was 34.85 ± 16.72 with a range of 1‑80 years. The most frequent indication was for malignant/paramalignant effusion, 46 (27.5%). Others were trauma, 44 (26.3%), Parapneumonic effusion, 20 (12%), postthoracotomy 14 (8.4%), empyema thoracis 12 (7.2%), heart disease and tuberculous effusion 11 (6.6%) each, pneumothorax 8 (4.8%) and misdiagnosis 1 (0.6%). A hundred and one (60.5%) of the procedures were performed by registrars, 41 (24.6%) by consultants, house officers 15 (9%) and senior registrars 10 (6%). The overall complication rate was 16.8% with the more frequent complications been empyema (5.6%) and pneumothorax (3.6%). The average duration of tube placement was 13.02 ± 12.362 days and range of 1‑110 days. Conclusion: Tube thoracostomy can be a relatively safe procedure with acceptable complication rates even with improvised underwater seal drainage bottles.Keywords: Complications, indications, improvisation, tube thoracostom

Reconstruction of the chest wall after excision of a giant malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor

Primary chest wall tumors are uncommon and constitute 0.2-2% of all tumors. Metastatic tumors and tumors of local extension are more common. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) of the chest wall is even rarer and its incidence on the chest wall not stated in the literature. The incidence in the general population is 0.0001% while therisk is approximately 4600 times higher in patients with type I  neurofibromatosis and 3-13% of them will finally develop into MPNST, usually after latent periods of 10-20 years. Clinically, these tumors are aggressive, locally invasive, and highly metastatic. Excision of giant chest wall tumor leaves a defect that is reconstructed using musculocutaneous flaps with or without a mesh. We report the case of a 24-year-old man who presented at the surgical outpatient clinic with 7 months history of persistent left sided chest pain minimally relieved by analgesics, 5 months of cough and worsening dyspnoea, and 3 months history of anterior chest swelling on the left side of the manubrium. Following evaluation and investigations, the tumor was excised and the residual defect closed with methylmetacrylate sandwiched between two prolene meshes and overlaid with both pectoralis major muscles. The histology of the excised mass revealed MPNST He made an uneventful postoperative recovery, but died barely 3 months later from widespread pulmonary metastases.A review of the literature revealed that such tumors hardly ever reach such large-size as in our case

Audit of Cardiothoracic Diseases seen at the National Cardiothoracic Centre Enugu Nigeria

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Zaria Universal Oxygenator Holder Phase I

Introduction: The conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery requires the use of equipment and devices like the oxygenator. The oxygenator comes in different makes and each manufacturer customizes the carrier or ‘holder’ of this device specific to their design. Aim: This paper presents an innovation designed to overcome the need to purchase a different holder for every oxygenator thereby cutting the cost. Materials and Methods: A sheet of iron measuring 1.9 cm (width) × 0.1 cm (thickness) was used to design the holder circular main frame. Another sheet measuring 2 cm (width) × 0.6 cm (thickness) × 24 cm (length) was used to construct a V‑shaped handle with the arms of the V attached to the main frame 7 cm apart. At the narrow base of the handle is a latch requiring two 13‑gauge screws to attach the holder to the heart‑lung machine. Within the circumference of the main frame are four T‑shaped side arms which grip the oxygenator; located at 2, 5, 7 and 11 O’clock positions. The stem of the T consist of a 0.6 cm (thickness) × 13 cm (length) rod drilled through the main frame. The cross of the T consists of variable lengths of the same sheet as the mainframe attached to the stem by a screw mechanism. At the base of the T, is attached a circular handle (4 cm in diameter) made of 0.4 cm iron rod.Result: An oxygenator holder which weighs 1.75 kg with a total length of 54 cm (the diameter of the mainframe is 30 cm). Its advantages include (i) affordability, (ii) materials are locally accessible, (iii) versatility (iv) reproducibility. The disadvantages include, (i) it requires some time to fit, (ii) caution is required in fitting the oxygenator to avoid breakage, (iii) a spanner is required to lock the latch.Conclusion: The concept of a universal holder is pertinent, especially in resource poor environments to avoid purchasing a new holder whenever the usual oxygenator common to the centre is unavailable. This device is amenable to further modifications to meet the unforeseen challenges.Keywords: Holder, innovation, oxygenator, universa

Profile of Chest Trauma in Zaria, Nigeria: A Preliminary Report

Aims and ObjectivesTrauma continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality world over. This study is aimed at the patterns of presentation and the outcome of management. Materials and MethodsA prospective study of trauma patients admitted to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital through the Accident and Emergency units was commenced in January 2008.This preliminary report is for the period of 27months.The clinical history, physical examination and outcome of management recorded in a predesigned proforma, were analysed with SPSS 15 and the patients were followed up in the surgical outpatient department.ResultsA total of 4784 patients (3143 men and 1641 women) were admitted during this period for trauma. There were a total of 628(13.13%) deaths. Of the 42 consecutive patients identified with chest trauma35 (83.3%) were males and 7(16.7%) were females. The age range was from 5-75years and the mean age was 35.4years, while the most affected ages were in the range of 20 to 49years. Blunt injury constituted 71.4% and penetrating injury constituted 28.6%. Road traffic accident was responsible for 61.9%, stab injury 21.4%, falls 7.1%, gunshot injury 4.8%, impalement 2.4% and animal attack also 2.4%. The average time taken between accident and admission was 31hours,40minutes and 12seconds while the average duration of hospital stay was 16.10 days. The injury pattern included rib fracture(s) (23.8%), hemopneumothorax (14.3%), hemothorax (7.1%),pneumothorax (4.8%), combinations of chest injuries (7.1%), chest laceration 7.1%, bruises 11.9%, lung contusion 4.8%, subcutaneous empyema 2.4%, flail chest 4.8% and no specific injury (11.9%). Associated injuries included head injury (63.6%), orthopaedic injury (27.3%) and combinations (abdominal, head, orthopaedic (9.1%). The fatality of road traffic accident was 36.8%. No patient was attended to by paramedics at the scene of accident while 21.9% of the patients had prehospital resuscitation in peripheral clinics before admission. The transfusion requirement was 14.3%. One patient (2.4%) required a median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass, 54.8% required tube thoracostomy while 42.9% had general resuscitation /non-operative intervention. Only one (2.4%) required ICU care. The complication rate was 4.8%. The mortality rate was 2.4%. Only 7(16.7%) patients were seen beyond the first outpatient clinic appointment.ConclusionMost patients arriving at the hospital survived, requiring general resuscitation or simple tube thoracostomy with few complications. Mortalities from trauma and the cause of death at the site of accident are often not accounted for due to nonpresentation to the hospital and lack of autopsy for those that present.Key words: Trauma, Chest, Presentations, Management,  Recommendation

Teaching the Surgical Craft: Surgery Residents Perception of the Operating Theater Educational Environment in a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria

Background: The transformation of a surgical trainee into a surgeonis strongly influenced by the quality of teaching in the operatingtheater. This study investigates the perceptions of residents aboutthe educational environment of the operating theater and identifiesvariables that may improve the operating theater education of ourtrainees. Materials and Methods: Residents in the department of surgery anonymously evaluated teaching in the operating room using the operating theater education environment measure. The residents evaluated 33 variables that might have an impact on their surgical skills within the operating theater. The variables were grouped into four subscales; teaching and training, learning opportunities, operating theater atmosphere and workload/supervision/support. Differences between male and female residents and junior and senior registrars were assessedusing Mann.Whitney test. Statistical analysis was completed with the statistics package for the social sciences version 17. Results: A total of 33 residents were participated in this study. Twenty nine (88%) males and 4 (12%) females. 30 (90%) were junior registrars. The mean total score was 67.5%. Operating theater atmosphere subscale had the highest score of 79.2% while workload/supervision/support subscale had the least score of 48.3%. There were significant differences between male and female residentfs perception of workload/supervision/supportP < 0.05; however, there was no significant differences in junior registrar versus senior registrarfs perception of the education environment in all the subscales P > 0.05. Conclusion: This study has shown a satisfactory teaching environment based on the existing local realities of means, resources and tools andhighlighted the need for improvement in workload/supervision/support in our institution. An acceptable learning environment in the operating theatre will produce surgeons that are technically competent to bridge the gap in the enormous unmet need for surgical care in Nigeria.Keywords: Teaching, operating theater, residents, perception, surgical craf

2019 EACTS/EACTA/EBCP guidelines on cardiopulmonary bypass in adult cardiac surgery.

To access publisher's full text version of this article click on the hyperlink belowEuropean Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Anaesthesiology (EACTA) European Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (EBCP

Maternal and neonatal outcomes after caesarean delivery in the African Surgical Outcomes Study: a 7-day prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal and neonatal mortality is high in Africa, but few large, prospective studies have been done to investigate the risk factors associated with these poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A 7-day, international, prospective, observational cohort study was done in patients having caesarean delivery in 183 hospitals across 22 countries in Africa. The inclusion criteria were all consecutive patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted to participating centres having elective and non-elective caesarean delivery during the 7-day study cohort period. To ensure a representative sample, each hospital had to provide data for 90% of the eligible patients during the recruitment week. The primary outcome was in-hospital maternal mortality and complications, which were assessed by local investigators. The study was registered on the South African National Health Research Database, number KZ_2015RP7_22, and on ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03044899. FINDINGS: Between February, 2016, and May, 2016, 3792 patients were recruited from hospitals across Africa. 3685 were included in the postoperative complications analysis (107 missing data) and 3684 were included in the maternal mortality analysis (108 missing data). These hospitals had a combined number of specialist surgeons, obstetricians, and anaesthetists totalling 0·7 per 100 000 population (IQR 0·2-2·0). Maternal mortality was 20 (0·5%) of 3684 patients (95% CI 0·3-0·8). Complications occurred in 633 (17·4%) of 3636 mothers (16·2-18·6), which were predominantly severe intraoperative and postoperative bleeding (136 [3·8%] of 3612 mothers). Maternal mortality was independently associated with a preoperative presentation of placenta praevia, placental abruption, ruptured uterus, antepartum haemorrhage (odds ratio 4·47 [95% CI 1·46-13·65]), and perioperative severe obstetric haemorrhage (5·87 [1·99-17·34]) or anaesthesia complications (11·47 (1·20-109·20]). Neonatal mortality was 153 (4·4%) of 3506 infants (95% CI 3·7-5·0). INTERPRETATION: Maternal mortality after caesarean delivery in Africa is 50 times higher than that of high-income countries and is driven by peripartum haemorrhage and anaesthesia complications. Neonatal mortality is double the global average. Early identification and appropriate management of mothers at risk of peripartum haemorrhage might improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in Africa. FUNDING: Medical Research Council of South Africa.Medical Research Council of South Africa