Type A interrupted aortic arch with Taussig-Bing anomaly: An unusual indication for staged repair

Complex transposition of great arteries (TGA) is when additional cono-truncal anomalies coexist with a TGA. Notable reasons for staged repair include the need to the need to adapt the left ventricle to the systemic high pressures. We report a case of staged repair of Type A Interrupted aortic arch with Taussig-Bing anomaly in a one month old male. Single stage repair could not be done for this patient because of technical difficulties, positive preoperative blood culture and associated airway problem. Patient had a successful two stage surgery involving an initial extended end-to-end anastomosis, PDA ligation with PA Banding and a delayed arterial switch operation done two months later.KEY WORDS: Interrupted aortic arch, arterial switch operation, Taussig-Bing Anomaly, Transposition of Great arteries

Head injury: Calabar Teaching Hospital experience

This study was undertaken as part of a wider prospective study by the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital Trauma Study Group. The specific objective was to highlight the pattern, distribution causative and contributory factors to head injury in our locality and to assess the outcome of treatment. The overall aim was to establish those epidemiological factors which may be targeted in the prevention and improvement of outcome. This paper is the preliminary report of this on-going study. The pattern and distribution of head injuries shows that a typical head injured patient in our locality is a male, aged between 21 and 30 years involved in a motorcycle related accident. Accidents frequently occured between 7 and 9pm and though 75% of patients arrived in hospital within 6 hours of injury, 17% of all cases died probably from suboptimal in-hospital care even in a tertiary centre. None of the patients used a protective helmet or restraining seatbelt. Prevention remains the key management option in these injuries. Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences Vol. 17 (1) 2007: pp. 14-2