The pattern of pediatric surgical conditions in Tikur Anbessa Unversity Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the pattern and extent of pediatric surgical problems.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients who had surgery at the TAUH over a five-year period

RESULTS:

A total of 6070 surgical procedures were done, accounting for 31% of all operations and 33% of all pediatric admissions to the hospital The patients were predominantly male (M:F ratio of 2:1) with a mean age of 68 months. Congenital anomalies, trauma and inflammation cause most of the diseases, 37%, 17.1% and 16.8% respectively. The gastrointestinal system was most commonly affected (41.8%) followed by the musculoskeletal system (23%). The study demonstrates the presence of a wide range of pediatric surgical conditions that may cause significant health problems among children. Acute appendicitis was the commonest surgical condition, seen in 729 (12%) children and foreign body aspiration or swallowing in 331 (5.5%) cases. Several diagnoses were related with poor surgical care such as: post burn contracture (177), post circumcision phimosis (71) and chronic osteomyelitis (71).

CONCLUSION:

It is suggested that improving the management of pediatrics surgical conditions would significantly reduce morbidity.

• Authors: Miliard Derbew, Elias Ahmed
• Journal: Ethiopian medical journal (Ethiop Med J) Vol. 44 Issue 4 Pg. 331-8 (Oct 2006) ISSN: 0014-1755 [Print] Ethiopia
• PMID: 17370432 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Ethiopia (epidemiology)
• Female
• Hospitals, University
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Pediatrics
• Quality of Health Care
• Surgical Procedures, Operative