Journal of the West African College of Surgeons

BACKGROUND: Technical proficiency for arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is complex and requires learning and practice. Achieving an appropriate level of competency with this surgery is important for patient safety and satisfactory surgical outcomes. There is limited literature about the learning curve in ACLR in Africa. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to demonstrate the learning curve associated with ACLR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study on arthroscopic ACLR was conducted between January 2020 and June 2023 with a minimum of 12 months follow-up...

INTRODUCTION: Missile injury is a global public health problem, which occurs in both military and civilian settings. Boko Haram insurgency in North-Eastern Nigeria is one of the major violence the country experienced that resulted in many civilian casualties. This study was aimed at exploring the various patterns of the missile injuries to the maxillofacial region during Boko Haram insurgency. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, relevant information was retrieved from patient records including sociodemographic, causes of missile injuries, site of injuries, pattern of presentation, treatment, and the complications, and analysed using SPSS version 23...

CONTEXT: Worldwide, urological disorders vary from one topography to another. An in-depth understanding of their distribution in each region could serve as a basis for the distribution of manpower, equipment's alongside determine policy formulation and training. AIMS: This study enumerates the annual frequency and distribution of urological disorders at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional retrospective study from November 2021 to November 2022 of all new patients who attended the urology outpatient clinic, emergency department as well as those who had surgical interventions at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State...

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the third most common extra-cranial sarcoma occurring in childhood, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs); and is rare in adults. Literature about RMS mainly considers RMS in AYAs, either with that in the children or adults, even though histological, molecular, and clinical characteristics of RMS in AYAs are significantly different from either of the two. Herein, we report a case of prostatic embryonal RMS, in a 17-year-old boy, along with the review of literature of prostatic RMS, with emphasis on AYAs...

BACKGROUND: Diverticular disease of the colon, previously believed to be rare among Africans, is now an emerging disease entity in many African countries. The increasing morbidity and varied presentations are associated with this. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of diverticular disease among patients who underwent lower gastrointestinal endoscopies over a 5-year period and evaluate the common presentations, interventions, and treatment outcomes at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana...

Vaginal endometrial stromal sarcoma (VESS) arising in the vagina is an extremely rare extrauterine endometrial stromal sarcoma, Stroma Sarcoma. To the best of our knowledge, there have been only a few reported cases in the literature. Therefore, we herein report a case of VESS originating in the vagina. A 27-year-old woman complained of heavy and intermittent vaginal bleeding and abdominal swelling all of six months duration. A mass that was firm to hard in consistency was found in the middle and upper segments of the anterior, right lateral, and posterior fornices and wall of the vagina...

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed at determining the predictive value (PV) of transrectal ultrasonic Doppler and elastographic features in prostate cancer (PCa) detection among patients in Lagos University Teaching Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study involved patients that underwent evaluation for PCa. Participants had digital rectal examination (DRE), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay, and transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy using colour Doppler (CD) and elastography...

BACKGROUND: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is the medication regimen for the management of human immunodeficiency virus. Over time, it has been dubbed to have revolutionised the clinical course and outcomes of HIV/AIDS. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the clinical factors associated with the ocular manifestation of HIV/AIDS among patients on HAART. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the ophthalmology department of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) in 2017 among adult patients (≥18 years) attending the hospital's antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic and selected using systematic random sampling technique...

Fibro-epithelial polyps (FEPs), also referred to as acrochordons or skin tags, are benign tumours that generally occur in women of reproductive age. They are uncommonly found in the vulva and vary in clinical appearances from small papillomatous growths to large pedunculated tumours. Typically, they are less than 5 cm. The wide range of morphological appearances of these tumours, especially when they are large, can be misinterpreted as malignant. This case involved a 30-year old multipara, 14-month post-partum who presented with a huge, irregular, firm, pedunculated mass on the right labium majus...

Enterolithiasis or formation of gastrointestinal concretions is an unusual medical entity that typically occurs in patients suffering from persistent intestinal stasis. We present a rare case of non-obstructive enterolith wedged in the blind end of bowel reconstruction following cystoprostatectomy and ileal conduit formation due to muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Although we watched it grow over the years, radiological characterisation was made possible when it grew to a significant size. We, herein, will discuss the aetiology and complexities associated with the diagnosis and management of such orphan cases given their non-specific clinical presentations in an already hostile abdomen due to multiple laparotomies...

BACKGROUND: Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is the surgical specialty concerned with the treatment of a broad range of conditions that affect the head, face, mouth, neck, and jaw. In Africa, there is a paucity of information about the specialist training available to aspiring African Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. OBJECTIVE: This paper aimed at shedding light on the available OMFS specialist training programmes and training pathways across Africa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors searched on PubMed, AJOL, and Google Scholar using the keywords "Africa," "Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery," "Residency," "Postgraduate," and "Education" and the individual African countries in English and official languages from inception till July 11, 2022...

Fibroepithelial polyps of the Vagina (FEPV) are mucosal polypoid lesions with a connective tissue core covered by a benign squamous epithelium. They are thought to be rare as only a few cases are reported in the literature. Fibroepithelial stromal polyps are mesenchymal neoplasms that can occur in the vagina, vulva, and even on the cervix. These fibroepithelial stromal polyps have also been reported in rare sites such as breast and labia.

BACKGROUND: Globally pregnancy and childbirth complications are the leading cause of death among adolescents, with evidence showing that antenatal care (ANC) is a very effective preventive intervention. In Burundi, there is limited information on the extent to which pregnant adolescents utilise such services. OBJECTIVE: To assess the ANC utilisation and factors associated with its use among adolescent mothers in Ngozi Province, Burundi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, health facility-based study among 216 adolescent mothers who had given birth within two years preceding this study, using structured questionnaires and records from previous ANC booklets...

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Dry eye disease (DED) is a common condition that affects the quality of life of may individuals. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of DED and identify potential risk factors in adult patients seeking care at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital., Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, hospital-based study that aimed to determine the prevalence of DED in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients. A total of 200 adult participants-100 with type 2 diabetes and 100 non-diabetic patients, were recruited into the study...

BACKGROUND: Diabetes foot syndrome is one of the common complications of diabetes. Detailed information on the clinical and vascular characteristics of patients with diabetic foot disease in relation to the outcome of the care provided to these patients will be useful to policymakers and clinicians in early detection and timely interventions for the prevention of disabling complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a review of patients with diabetic foot managed in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital over 5 years (January 2017-May 2022)...

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the second most common cause of nosocomial infection, after urinary tract infection. Sequelae of SSI include increased healthcare costs and worse patient outcomes. There is a paucity of research studies on the impact of anaerobic organisms on SSIs in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the role of anaerobic bacteria in SSI encountered at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 438 patients were consecutively recruited into this study from general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology and paediatric units of the LUTH from 1 July through 31 December 2019...

BACKGROUND: Despite the high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and cervical cancer in Nigeria, the utilization of the HPV vaccine as a highly effective preventive measure remains low. The aim of this study was to find out if parental knowledge of HPV infection and cervical cancer influenced the acceptance of HPV vaccines for their 9-14-year-old children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of 509 parents comprising 262 fathers and 247 mothers in 8 randomly selected communities in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The survival rate of patients with burn injuries has increased remarkably owing to the advancements in burn management which has resulted in improved survival rates, shorter hospital stays and decreases in morbidity and mortality rates due to the development of fluid resuscitation protocols, improved respiratory support, infection control etc. This study compares the parameters of burn patients admitted in a tertiary hospital from January 2012 to December 2016 and January 2017 to December 2021...

BACKGROUND: Interest in surgical site infections (SSI) has been sustained over the years because its occurrence may be ruinous to the overall success of surgical operations. The use of antimicrobial suture has been associated with a reduction in SSI, but its role in open appendectomy has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: This study compared the effect of fascia closure with triclosan-coated polydioxanone (PDS) with plain PDS on SSI in appendectomy wounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three consecutive patients who had open appendectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis were randomised to either have fascia closure with triclosan-coated PDS (TCS) or plain PDS...

BACKGROUND: Tissue necrosis from pentazocine abuse is becoming a burden in our environment. Pentazocine is an opioid of the benzomorphan class. It is commonly used for post-traumatic and postoperative pain and vaso-occlusive pain of sickle cell disease (SCD). Its prolonged use can lead to addiction and may result in severe injection site necrosis, often worsened by infection due to a lack of aseptic principles during administration. Although pentazocine is a controlled drug in our environment, it is readily available...