Post-operative intensive care admission of paediatric surgical patients in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital : Indications and Evaluation of Management Outcome

Abstract

A retrospective study of all paediatric surgical patients aged 15 years and below, admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) following surgery was carried out, covering a period of 10 years. Demographic information, surgical procedures performed, indications for intensive care admission and outcome were obtained. Sixty-seven general paediatric surgical patients were admitted with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. There were 32 (47.8%) infants, 6(9%) pre-school children and 29(43.3%) older children. There were 57(85.1%) emergency procedures. Of the 40 patients who had documented indications for admission, 25(62.5%) had respiratory insufficiency and only five (20.0%) were ventilated. Twenty (29.9%) patients died. Primary diagnosis, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) physical status score, emergency surgery and type of procedure significantly affected outcome. Conclusion: Availability of appropriate paediatric ventilatory facilities and personnel may reduce mortality in our ICU.

Keywords: Paediatric surgical; postoperative; intensive care; indications; outcome