Search

Background: Retroperitoneal hematoma (RH) can present as an acute life-threatening condition, report on RH in low-income countries are lacking. Objective: We present the severity, pattern, challenges, and outcome of RH in a low-resource country such as Nigeria. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of all patients with blunt or penetrating abdominal injury needing surgery, patients with RH among them were analyzed. Results: In the last one decade spanning 2005-2015, our operation database record showed that 247 patients had exploratory laparotomy for blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. Out of the 115 patients with complete record available, only 43 had RH. The median age of the patients was 30 years, and the most affected age group was 20-29 years. Female to male ratio was 1:13. Only eight patients (18.6%) reached the hospital from the accident site within the first "Golden Hour" of accident, which is the first 1 h postrauma during which treatment intervention believed to have the best outcome. Only two patients (4.7%) got to operating theater within 1 h of reaching hospital. None of our patients had preoperative diagnosis of RH; overall, mortality was two patients (4.7%). Conclusion: Logistical infrastructural inadequacies such as lack of sterile theater bundle and drapes/nonavailability or busy theater space caused delay for patients between presentation in the Accident and Emergency Center and operating theater. None of our patients had a preoperative diagnosis of RH because of lack of access to computerized tomography scan dedicated to trauma in Accident and Emergency Center. The overall mortality of 4.7% in this study, which is on the low side, tends to suggest that mostly mild and stable cases which can make it to the operating table were eventually operated upon.

We report the case of an 11-year-old boy with proximal myopathy, heliotrope, and Gottron papule-like rashes. Serum chemistry revealed muscle enzyme elevations, whereas muscle biopsy histology showed necrosis and inflammation, which were in keeping with juvenile dermatomyositis. Plain radiographic examination of the thigh 3 weeks after commencing treatment with prednisolone was normal. The aim of this presentation is to highlight the diagnostic challenges posed by this rare condition in a resource-limited setting and to underscore the need for prompt diagnosis and appropriate management. We hope that this report will assist physicians practicing in similar settings to make a prompt and accurate diagnosis when confronted with the same disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Retroperitoneal hematoma (RH) can present as an acute life-threatening condition, report on RH in low-income countries are lacking., Objective: We present the severity, pattern, challenges, and outcome of RH in a low-resource country such as Nigeria., Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of all patients with blunt or penetrating abdominal injury needing surgery, patients with RH among them were analyzed., Results: In the last one decade spanning 2005-2015, our operation database record showed that 247 patients had exploratory laparotomy for blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. Out of the 115 patients with complete record available, only 43 had RH. The median age of the patients was 30 years, and the most affected age group was 20-29 years. Female to male ratio was 1:13. Only eight patients (18.6%) reached the hospital from the accident site within the first Golden Hour of accident, which is the first 1 h postrauma during which treatment intervention believed to have the best outcome. Only two patients (4.7%) got to operating theater within 1 h of reaching hospital. None of our patients had preoperative diagnosis of RH; overall, mortality was two patients (4.7%)., Conclusion: Logistical infrastructural inadequacies such as lack of sterile theater bundle and drapes/nonavailability or busy theater space caused delay for patients between presentation in the Accident and Emergency Center and operating theater. None of our patients had a preoperative diagnosis of RH because of lack of access to computerized tomography scan dedicated to trauma in Accident and Emergency Center. The overall mortality of 4.7% in this study, which is on the low side, tends to suggest that mostly mild and stable cases which can make it to the operating table were eventually operated upon.

Context: The Darning technique of inguinal hernia repair is a tissue-based technique with documented low recurrence rate in some parts of the world. Though practiced in our setting, little is documented on its outcome., Aims: The aim was to review the outcome of Darning technique of inguinal hernia repair in our setting., Study Design: A descriptive retrospective study., Patients and Methods: Clinical records of all patients who had inguinal hernia repair using the Darning technique between January 2007 and December 2011 in our institution were obtained. Details of sociodemographic data, intraoperative findings and postoperative complications were reviewed., Statistical Analysis Used: simple frequencies, proportions and cross-tabulations., Results: A total of 132 patients whose ages ranged from 15 to 84 years (mean = 49.4 years) with a male: female ratio of 12:1 were studied. Majority of the hernias were right sided (68.9%), mostly indirect (81.8%). The procedures were for emergencies in 17 (12.9%) cases whereas the rest (87.1%) were done electively. Most procedures, 110 (83.3%) were performed under local anesthesia. Surgical site infection was the most common complication occurring in six patients (4.5%), while four patients (3%) had chronic groin pain. At a mean follow-up period of 15 months there were two recurrences (1.5%) both occurring in patients with bilateral hernias (P = 0.001)., Conclusions: The Darning technique of inguinal hernia repair is a safe and effective method for inguinal hernia repair in our setting.