Broncho-Oesophageal Fistula (BOF) Secondary to Missing Partial Denture in an Alcoholic in a Low Resource Country

The clinical course of a missing partial denture with secondary BOF in an alcoholic is presented. In the index case we report an exceptional clinical course of a patient who did not ascribe his symptoms to his ‘‘missing’’ dentures for several years, the odontologist who replaced an unrecovered denture, and the generalist who administered the barium swallow in an unsuspected BOF. Preoperative optimization of the patient was by blenderized local feeds through a feeding tube gastrostomy and by chest physiotherapy. Extraction of the denture and closure of fistula were done through a right thoracotomy. The importance of a high index of clinical suspicion of BOF in a low resource setting to avoid the morbidity and mortality associated with missing dentures is discussed. Odontologists, caregivers and clinicians must educate patients on the hazards of missing dentures and cases of missing / lost dentures should be adequately investigated / explored in the patient’s history and clinical assessment before they are replaced

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 surgeon is strongly influenced by the quality of teaching in the operating theater. This study investigates the perceptions of residents about the educational environment of the operating theater and identifies variables that may improve the operating theater education of our trainees. 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 assessed using 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 resident′s perception of workload/supervision/support P 0.05. Conclusion: This study has shown a satisfactory teaching environment based on the existing local realities of means, resources and tools and highlighted 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

Disclosure of errors and adverse events in surgery: A cross-sectional survey of attitudes and experiences of surgical trainees in Nigeria

Background: The patient-surgeon relationship is based on trust, loyalty, and respect. When errors and adverse events occur, they can test the foundation of that relationship with lasting consequences for both the patient and the surgeon. Disclosure of errors and adverse events is a requisite skill in surgical education. Materials and Methods: Surgical trainees′ perception of the disclosure of errors and adverse events was evaluated using a questionnaire at the revision course of the West African College of Surgeons in September 2012. The questionnaire addressed three domains: Types of errors that should be disclosed, barriers to disclosure, and experience with disclosure. Results: Nearly all the residents, 60 (95.2%), agreed that adverse events should be disclosed. Most of the respondents, 40 (66.7%), either agreed or strongly agreed that "adverse events and errors in surgery are one of the most serious problems in health care." Only 18 residents (28.5%) either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement "It might make me less likely to disclose an error or adverse event to a patient if I think I might get sued." Almost all the residents, 58 (92.1%), have not had a formal training in disclosure of adverse events and errors. Conclusion: The majority of the residents agreed that errors and adverse events should be disclosed. Most of the residents also reported that they have not had a formal training in disclosure. Training residents in disclosure is clearly warranted, as such training will provide them with a valuable skill that they will use throughout their careers

Sensitivity of computed tomography-guided transthoracic biopsies in a Nigerian tertiary institution

Introduction: The indications for open biopsies for intrathoracic lesions have become almost negligible. This development was made possible by less invasive maneuvers such as computed tomography-guided (CT-guided) biopsy, thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracoscopy, and bronchoscopy. CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy was first reported in 1976. Aim of Study: The aim of the study is to report our experience with CT-guided transthoracic biopsy. Materials and Methods: Patients with clinical and radiological evidence of intrathoracic mass were counseled and consent obtained for the procedure. They were positioned in the gantry, either supine or prone. A scout scan of the entire chest was taken at 5 mm intervals. The procedure was carried out by the consultants and senior registrar. Following visualization of the lesion, its position in terms of depth and distance from the midline was measured with the machine in centimeter to determine the point of insertion of the trucut needle (14–18-G). The presumed site of the lesion was indicated with a metallic object held in place with two to three strips of plasters after cleaning the site with Povidone-iodine. After insertion, repeat scans were performed to confirm that the needle was within the mass. A minimum of 3 core cuts was taken to be certain that the samples were representative. The results were analyzed by the determination of means and percentages. Results: Twenty-six patients underwent this procedure between 2011 and 2015. There were 15 males and 11 females (M:F = 1.4:1). The age range was between 30 and 99 years with a mean of 55 years. Histological diagnosis was obtained in 24 of the patients giving sensitivity of 92.3%. There were 3 mild complications giving a rate of 11.5%. The complications included a case of mild hemoptysis and two patients who had mild pneumothoraces which did not require tube thoracostomy. Conclusion: CT-guided biopsy is a reliable procedure for obtaining deep-seated intrathoracic biopsies with high sensitivity and minimal complication rate