Pattern of Surgical Abdominal Emergencies in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Acute surgical abdominal emergencies are common reasons for admission into accident and emergency units in most hospitals. This study was undertaken to look at the spectrum of such presentations to a tertiary hospital in North Western Nigeria. The management and outcome were also highlighted.
Method: A retrospective review of case notes of patients with emergency surgical abdominal conditions between 2004 -2008 was carried out. Parameters studied included demographic characteristics, diagnosis, management and outcome.
Results: A total of 1330 patients were studied. Out of this, 849(63.8%) were males and 481 (32.2%) were females; giving a male: female ratio of 1.77:1 (χ²2:1). The mean age was 33.56 ( ±15.31) (16-85) years. Acute appendicitis was the commonest emergency, 375 (55.26%), followed respectively by acute intestinal obstruction, 245(18.42%), typhoid ileal perforation, 180(13.53%), abdominal trauma, 95(7.14%) and perforated peptic ulcer, 45(3.38%). Wound infection, incisional hernia and hypertrophic scar were the main postoperative complications. A total of 100 patients died, giving an overall mortality of 7.52%. Typhoid ileal perforation was the single leading cause of death at 36(20%), followed by intestinal obstruction, 40(16.33%) and abdominal trauma, 15(15.79%).
Conclusion: Acute appendicitis was the commonest surgical abdominal emergency in our study. This was followed by intestinal obstruction and typhoid ileal perforation respectively.