Thyrotoxicosis in Benin City: a study of surgical treatment of 50 patients

Thyrotoxicosis is regarded as uncommon in sub-tropical Africa, although recent reports seem to indicate an increasing frequency of this disease. From January 1986 to April 2001, 50 patients were operated upon for thyrotoxicosis at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Forty seven of them were females and three males (ratio 15.7:1). Poor compliance with drug therapy, relapse in symptoms, increase in the size of the goitre and cosmesis were the main indications for surgery. Sub-total thyroidectomy uniformly produced good results from the limited follow-up; few complications were associated with this procedure. The patients generally had good haemoglobin levels 65 10g% on admission and no blood transfusion was used in the series during or after surgery. There was no mortality. It is recommended that in sub-tropical Africa, surgery for thyrotoxicosis is a safe, effective and reasonably cheap procedure when compared to other modalities of treatment

Clinicopathological Study of Carcinoma of the Breast in Benin City

Morbidity and mortality from breast cancer have continued to be a source of concern to surgeons in many countries. Over a period of 10 years- January 1987 to December 1996 - 117 patients presented with carcinoma of the breast at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria. The case files of 77 patients were available and were analysed retrospectively. There were 75 females and 2 males. Sixty seven per cent of the female patients had large and grossly advanced lesions. Most of them were multiparous and they practiced prolonged breastfeeding. Seventy eight per cent of the patients delayed for over 3 months before presenting to the hospital. The five-year survival was 8.7%. We conclude that carcinoma of the breast is common in this community and that most of the patients present late to the hospital. (Afr J Reprod Health 2001; 5[2]:56-62) RÉSUMÉ Etude anatomoclinique du cancer du sein à Benin City. La morbidité et la mortalité occasionnées par le cancer du sein demeure toujours une source de souci pour les chirurgiens dans plusieurs pays. Depuis 10 ans, janvier 1987 jusqu'à décembre 1996, 117 malades ont présente le cancer du sein au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire à Benin City au Nigéria. Les dossiers de 77 malades étaient disponibles et ils ont été analysés retrospectivement. Il y avait 75 femmes et 2 hommes. 67% des malades avaient de grandes lésions bien avancées. La plupart étaient multipares et elles ont tardé de plus de 3 mois avant de se présenter à l'hôpital. La survie jusqu'à cinq ans était de 8,7%. Pour conclure, nous affirmons que le cancer du sein est commun dans cette communauté et que la plupart des malades se présentent tard à l'hôpital. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2001; 5[2]: 56-62) KEY WORDS: Carcinoma, breast, retrospective review, Benin Cit

Spectrum of emergencies in an accident centre in Benin-City, Nigeria

A total of 1,398 patients who presented with various types of injuries at the Accident Centre of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital over a one-year period were prospectively studied to evaluate the categories of patients affected, aetiological factors, types and severity of organ injuries. There were 956 males and 442 females with a male to female ratio of 2.2 to 1. The peak age of the patients was in the third decade. Road traffic accident was the cause of injury in 52 percent of cases, followed by physical assault and falls. The lower extremities, head, face and upper extremities were the most commonly injured body regions. Most of the injuries were minor with Injury Severity Score (ISS) ranging from 1-3, and moderate severity (ISS ranging from 4-16). Majority resulted from road traffic accidents. We conclude that road traffic accidents are the major cause of traumatic injuries in Benin City and efforts should be made to quantify the burden of injury in our environment through purposeful research and establishment of a trauma data bank. (Key words: Trauma, injuries, road traffic accidents, accident centre.) Sahel Med. J. Vol.6(2) 2003: 58-6

Diseases of the thyroid gland in Benin City

Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine Vol.10(2) 2000: 157-16

Thyrotoxicosis in Benin City: a study of surgical treatment of 50 patients

Thyrotoxicosis is regarded as uncommon in sub-tropical Africa, although recent reports seem to indicate an increasing frequency of this disease. From January 1986 to April 2001, 50 patients were operated upon for thyrotoxicosis at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Forty seven of them were females and three males (ratio 15.7:1). Poor compliance with drug therapy, relapse in symptoms, increase in the size of the goitre and cosmesis were the main indications for surgery. Sub-total thyroidectomy uniformly produced good results from the limited follow-up; few complications were associated with this procedure. The patients generally had good haemoglobin levels ≥ 10g% on admission and no blood transfusion was used in the series during or after surgery. There was no mortality. It is recommended that in sub-tropical Africa, surgery for thyrotoxicosis is a safe, effective and reasonably cheap procedure when compared to other modalities of treatment

Appendicitis: A Study of Negative Appendicectomies

This is a fifteen-month prospective study to assess the diagnostic accuracy of appendicitis. One hundred and fifty nine patients were diagnosed on clinical basis as having acute appendicitis and subsequently had appendicectomy. 52.8% were confirmed on histology. The diagnostic error (negative appendicectomy) was 47.2%. the error was lower in males (35%) compared with females. The reason for the high negative appendicectomy in women is pelvic inflammatory diseases, which mimics acute appendicitis. Post-operative complications were noted in 3% of the negative appendicectomy group but in the positive appendicectomy group complications were much more common particularly when the appendix was ruptured. (Key Words: Negative appendicectomy, perforated appendix and postoperative complications.) Sahel Med. J. Vol.6(3) 2003: 72-7

Gallbladder Carcinoma Unassociated With Cholelithiasis:

Carcinoma of the gallbladder is a rare and often over looked cause of right upper abdominal quadrant pain. Diagnostic delay is common as the clinical features are confused with those of chronic cholecystitis. We report two cases of gallbladder carcinoma not associated with gallstones occurring in two middle-aged women. To our knowledge this is the first report in Nigeria of gallbladder carcinoma unassociated with cholelithiasis. We conclude that there should be a high index of suspicion in patients presenting with weight loss and chronic cholecystitis syndrome. Keywords: Gallbladder Carcinoma, Cholecystitis, Radical Cholecystectomy.Nigerian Journal of Surgical Sciences Vol. 17 (2) 2007: pp. 113-11

Case-Control Study Of Risk Factors For Breast Cancer In Nigerian Women: A Pilot Study

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for breast cancer among women in Midwestern and Southeastern Nigeria. Design: A case control study. Setting: University of Benin Teaching hospital, Benin City and University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt in Nigeria. Subjects: Fifty one women with diagnosis of breast cancer and their age- and sex matched controls were included in the study. Interventions: Data was collected during a 30 minute period after obtaining written informed consent using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: Parity>4 (OR=0.50, 95% Cl 0.17, 1.46) and duration of breast feeding>60 months (OR=0.58, 95% Cl 0.23, 1.48) were associated with reduced risk of breast cancer while birth order>3 (OR=I.50, 95% Cl 0.25, 8.98), age at first full term pregnancy>20 years (OR=2.50, 95% Cl 0.78, 7.97) and longer duration of reproductive period (OR=1.25, 95% Cl 0.34, 4.66) were associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Conclusion: The study has shown that high parity and long duration of breastfeeding are associated with reduced risk while high birth order and late age at first full-term pregnancy are associated with increased risk of breast cancer. East African Medical Journal Vol.82(1) 2005: 14-1