Pattern and outcome of emergency surgery in a new Nigerian Teaching Hospital--The LAUTECH Osogbo experience.

AIMS AND

OBJECTIVES

To present a 5 years experience on the pattern and outcome of emergency operations in a new teaching hospital.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A retrospective study carried out between April 1998 and March 2003 with appropriate data extracted from the available case notes.

RESULTS

Two thousand and seventy operations were performed within the period of study. Seven hundred and twenty six of them were done as emergency. Obstetrics' and Gynaecology cases were 66.6% while 33.4% (including six cases of perforated uterus and gangrenous bowel from unsafe abortion) belong to the general surgery and specialty emergencies. Waiting time, mean of which was 39.5+/-2.7 hours, was unduly prolonged. Mortality was 10.3%.

CONCLUSION

The high morbidity and mortality as reflected in this study could be reduced through prompt surgical interventions, education on contraceptive awareness and legistilation against unsafe abortion.