Open heart surgery in Ilorin: case report and experience with the first two cases

Abstract

Open heart surgery is uncommonly done in Nigeria and restricted to few centres despite the burden of congenital heart disease. We present our first experience with open heart surgery at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. A 15 years old female adolescent presented with a 2 years history of easy fatigability, dyspnoea on exertion and chest pain. Echocardiography revealed a large ostium secundum atrial septal defect. She had patch closure of the atrial septal defect. The second case was a 7 years old female child with stunted growth. Echocardiography confirmed an ostium secundum atrial septal defect and severe pulmonary valvular stenosis. She had patch closure of the atrial septal defect and pulmonary valvulotomy. Both patients are being followed up and doing well.

The hospital has achieved a major milestone by performing its first open heart surgeries. A coordinated team approach yields good results in the development of capacity and facilities for performing open heart surgery in Nigeria.

Keywords: Heart disease, congenital; surgery, open heart; Ilorin