Emerging pattern of emergency abdominal surgeries in Ile-ife Nigeria

Background: The pattern of abdominal surgical emergency may not be the same in different settings because of changes in demography, diet, socioeconomic or geographical factors. We present the pattern, management and outcome of such emergencies in Ile Ife, South Western Nigeria. Aim: To document the pattern of abdominal surgical emergency in our environment with a view to highlighting the management and outcome. Because, superstitiously our people mostly think toward poison as the cause of abdominal pain, it is justified to do this study. The societal meaning of poison refers to a situation whereby someone′s friend or relative introduces a deadly substance or material into his drink or food which will eventually lead to morbidity or mortality. It is thought that the introduction of deadly poison could be physically done or diabolically in form of spiritual attack. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective review of data collected in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria between June 2006 and June 2012. Patients with abdominal surgical emergencies exclusive of gynecological cases were consecutively entered into the study at the time of presentation and followed-up. The frequencies of different diagnosis and age distribution were recorded. The indications for operative intervention, management and outcome were also highlighted. Results: Of the 8001 cases presenting with abdominal pain in our hospital, 2408 (28.8%) required surgery. Males were 1445 (60.1%), while 963 (39.9%) were female patients with a mean age of 35.9 years. Uncomplicated appendicitis was the most common indication for surgery (61.3%), obstructed hernias constituted the most common etiological factor in intestinal obstruction (51.2%), while postoperative bands and adhesions accounted for 14.6%. Ruptured appendix and typhoid perforation accounted for 32.4% and 18.9% of peritonitis, respectively. The spleen was the most affected intra-abdominal organ in cases of abdominal trauma. Three patients had repair of the spleen. 16 (0.7%) had emergency surgery for complicated duodenal ulcer, repair of burst abdomen accounted for 48 (2.1%) cases of emergency abdominal surgery. Postoperative death was 1.1%. Delayed presentation increased mortality. Conclusions: Surgery for appendicitis is the commonest emergency abdominal surgery. Others include operations for peritonitis, trauma and strangulated inguinal hernia. Delayed presentation contributed to delayed intervention in some cases which impact negatively on treatment outcome. No single case of abdominal pain secondary to ingestion of the so called poison was seen during the study period