Background: Research and publications are important in advancing quality of care as well as improving knowledge. Paediatric surgical research and publications in sub Saharan Africa have not been given much focused attention. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of published work in paediatric surgery from a major paediatric surgical centre in Nigeria from 1969 - 2005. All published work were reviewed for nature of research, organ/system and disease condition studied, nature of publication, volume of publication in relation to staffing as well as journal of publication. Results: During the period there were 153 publications consisting of 86 (56.2%) original researches (77 of which were of retrospective study designs and 9 prospective), 56 (36.6%) case reports, 8 (5.2%) letters and 4 (2.6%) review articles. None of the studies and publications was funded. More publications were made when the department of surgery was better staffed. Congenital anomalies (57, 37.3%) and surgical infections (28, 18.3%) were more frequently studied and in 82 (53.4%) publications the gastrointestinal tract was the focus. Most publications were in general medical journals (58, 37.9%) and general paediatric journals (54, 35.3%) but publications in paediatric surgical journals has continued to increase over the years and reached 25.9% by 2005. Some of the difficulties and challenges faced included lack of funding, poor staffing and inadequate facilities for laboratory research. Conclusion: Paediatric surgical research and publication in Nigeria is increasing but faces important limitations. Advocacy efforts are needed to improve funding. Networking as well as collaboration is necessary to improve the quality and spectrum of research.

Aim: To improve the results of tubularized plate urethroplasty by adding de-epithelized flap. Patients and Methods: Twenty-five cases of hypospadias who underwent Snodgrass urethroplasty using de-epithelialized flap were studied. The minimum period of follow-up in this series was 1 year. Results: The resultant neo-meatus was vertically oriented and slit like. Glans was conical which is cosmetically well accepted. Penile raphe was in the midline. None of the patient had residual chordee, penile torsion, or glans dehiscence. Excellent cosmetic results were observed in all cases. The complication rate in our series was 8% (two cases). Two patients developed fistula. Conclusion: De-epithelialized flap is a simple method to provide additional covering to the constructed neourethra after Snodgrass urethroplasty. It achieves our goal of noncrossing suture lines and providing maximum vascularity.

Background: A testis located outside the scrotum is prone to a lot of complications but early detection and correction give good result. The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of presentation, complications recorded, the surgical treatment offered and outcome in a developing country. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of patients that presented with undescended testes at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between January, 1997 and December, 2006. Results: A total of 76 orchidopexies and 10 orchidectomies were done on 71 patients with undescended testes during the period. They were aged 9 months and 47 years (mean 8.3 ± 7.9 years) at surgery. Only 31 (43.7%) patients presented at age 5 years and below while 40 (56.3%) presented after 5 years. Seventy-two (83.7%) testes were palpable, ultrasound scan was used to locate 10 (11.6%), while 4 (4.7%) could only be located during groin exploration. Intraoperative assessment of the testes were 54 (62.8%) normal testicular volume, 22 (25.6%) reduced volume and 10 (11.6%) atretic. All those aged 5 years and below had normal/reduced testicular volume and all had orchidopexy whereas those above 5 years with normal/reduced testicular volume had orchidopexy and those with atretic testis had orchidectomy. Post operatively, testicular growth was recorded only among the pre/pubertile boys, the testes retracted in two patients, scrotal skin infection in one, and intra scrotal haematoma in two. Conclusion: Delayed presentation resulted in morphological changes, increased complications, number of orchidectomy and reduced chance of testicular growth post orchidopexy.

Background: In children, majority of the head injuries are minor and management of critically ill children depend on a team approach using well-rehearsed, systematic management protocols that can be implemented within hours after injury. This study was carried out to ascertain the epidemiology and management of know the demographic profile and etiology of paediatric head injury in our setting, to know the clinical and radiological characteristics of head injury patients and to know the treatment options and outcome in paediatric head injuries. Patients and Methods: Details of all children (age <16 years) with head injury seen in 1 year from 01.04.2005 to 31.03.2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic profile, clinical details, investigations, treatment offered, and outcome were noted in a proforma. All data were analyzed by appropriate SPSS 11.0 statistical software tools. Results: There were total 43 patients. Young male children were more commonly affected in present series with a mean age of 7.67 years (median - 5.010 years), range 6 months-16 year. Fall (65.11%) was the most common mode of injury followed by road traffic accidents (RTAs) (25.6%). Mild head injuries (65.11%) were most common. Most common complaint was loss of consciousness and all the patients with severe head injury presented loss of consciousness. All patients with mild head showed good recovery; with moderate head injury, nine patients showed good recovery and three patients recovered with moderate disability. Patients with severe head injury (three patients) had 100% mortality. Conclusions: In urban areas of Nepal, RTAs like vehicular crashes, motor cycle accidents, and pedestrian hit by moving vehicle are more common and in rural areas fall from height are commoner. We need to develop child safety legislations and risk-specific intervention programs in Nepal.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the outcome and determine the prognostic factors of outcome of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma in a tertiary hospital in a developing country. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective review of the clinical presentation, investigation, intervention, and treatment outcomes of children with rhabdomyosarcoma in our hospital over a 7-year period. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test. Results: A total of 18 patients were identified with two-thirds being males (n = 12) with median age of 7 years. Most of the children were below 10 years of age. Lower limbs tumour predominated (n = 6) followed by the upper limbs and head and neck (n = 4 each). Other sites included perianal/perineal (n = 3) and the orbit (n = 1). Two patients were Intergroup Rabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) group I, four group II, five group III, and seven group IV. Lymph node involvement was the commonest site of metastasis. Clinical group and stage was significantly more advanced in patients older than 10 years compared to younger than 10 years (P = 0.010, P = 0.008, respectively). There were 12 patients with alveolar disease while six had embryonal type of rhabdomyosarcoma. Treatment was by combination chemotherapy, and surgical excision which was done primarily in 11, after chemotherapy in four, and after radiotherapy in one. Two had biopsy only. Five patients are alive, two of them without evidence of disease at average follow-up period of 2 years. Conclusion: Mortality from rhadomyosarcoma in our setting is still unacceptably high. Late presentation may be the major contributor to high mortality. A more aggressive multimodality treatment approach may improve the outcome.

Background: Intussusception is the commonest cause of bowel obstruction in infancy and childhood. Early diagnosis and effective management have reduced its morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Aim: To document the presentation, management and treatment outcome of intussusceptions at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Patients and Methods: One hundred seventy-four consecutive cases of this condition seen in children presenting at LUTH over a 5-year period were prospectively studied. Details of symptoms and signs, pre-hospital care, treatment, and outcome in LUTH were documented. Results: The triad of abdominal pain, bloody mucoid stools and palpable abdominal mass was seen in 106 (61%) of the cases. One hundred thirty-five (77.6%) had been admitted and treated with antibiotics and intravenous fluids in primary healthcare centers for an average of 3 days before referral to the LUTH. Prolonged mean duration of recognizable symptoms of 3 days accounted for a 70.4% bowel resection rate. Wound infection occurred in 61 (36.1%), whereas fecal fistulae developed in six (3.6%), and burst abdomen in five (3%) of cases. Seven (4.1%) patients developed incisional herniae. Overall, mortality rate was 12.1%. Conclusion: The early symptoms of intussusception would seem to be missed by primary healthcare workers in Lagos, with consequently high morbidity and mortality. There is an urgent need to re-emphasize these symptoms to first-line healthcare providers and parents through public enlightenment campaigns.

Objective: This study compared the outcome of Mathieu repair between patients who went home within 24 hours on catheter and dressing and patients who were managed in hospital for 48 hours and had their catheters and dressings removed before going home. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of Mathieu hypospadias repair performed by the same surgeon for 11 years. Outcome measures were catheter and dressing related problems/complications. Results: Sixty five patients were included in the study; 43(66.2%) were managed in-hospital for the first 48 hours (Group A), while 22(33.8%) were managed as day-care cases (Group B). Complication rate was 6(14.0%) and 3(13.6%) respectively, with fistula rate of 2(4.7%) in Group A and 1(4.5%) in Group B. Conclusion: Day care Mathieu repair of hypospadias does not increase the occurrence of complications.

Circumcision is one of the common operations performed worldwide, for various reasons. Controversy exists as to whether circumcision is an operation. This literature review discusses the indications of circumcision, benefits and complications of circumcision, and alternatives to circumcision. Relevant articles on the benefits, complications, indications and alternative to circumcision from 1964 to 2005 were reviewed, from National Library of Medicine's Pubmed database. Additional articles were obtained from the reference lists of key articles and recent reviews.

Two male children with ano/recto-urethral fistula without anorectal malformation were managed in our institute. These patients had variable clinical manifestations and associated anomalies including congenital urethral hypoplasia, renal agenesis and patent urachus. Both were treated successfully according to their status of disease-complexes. This is to discuss these rare cases and its management with review of the literature.

Objective/Purpose: This paper describes a new method of hand anastomosis to complete the Duhamel operation for Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Methodology: All patients had diagnosis of Hirschsrung's disease confirmed by rectal biopsy and had defunctioning colostomy. At the definitive operation, the ganglionic bowel was brought down in a retro-rectal position and anastomosed at the anal canal just above the dentate line. At this anastomosis, the sutures at 11 and 1 o'clock were left long as stay sutures. An incision was then made down the new bowel at the antimesenteric border from the pelvic brim. Another incision was made down the back of the native rectum. A long-curved artery forceps was then passed into the incision in the native rectum out of the anal canal. This forceps was now hooked round the anastomosis at 12 o'clock and further pushed in until the point appears through the colotomy in the ganglionic bowel. The two layers of bowel between the forceps were incised. The forceps was now inserted to grab the long sutures at 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock in turn, and delivered through the pelvis. Anastomosis between the edges of the native rectum and the neorectum was then done with interrupted PDS inside and silk outside. Results: Seven patients had the procedure done. Age ranged between 4 months and 4 years (mean 3.4 years). They were all males. One patient died early in the series from reaction to postoperative analgesia. Four older patients have bowel motions 2-3 times per day, do not soil at night, and are fully continent. Conclusion: This preliminary study shows that hand anastomosis could be used to complete Duhamel operation for patients with HD with satisfactory early results.

Neonatal hydrometrocolpos is a rare condition that follows congenital vaginal obstruction. Association with urinary obstruction and upper tract dilatation has been reported in some cases. Obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract without a coexisting bowel anomaly can also occur, but this is very rare. In some cases, preoperative diagnosis may be difficult. We describe our experience with a rare case of huge hydrometrocolpos presenting as neonatal intestinal and urinary obstruction.

Duodenal ulcer perforation is very uncommon in infants and children, that is why it is not usually considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in this age group. Moreover, the diagnosis of this condition is usually overlooked because of vague and variable symptoms and low index of suspicion on the part of the treating physicians. In this brief report, we are reporting two cases of successfully managed perforated duodenal ulcer in infancy.

A trichobezoar is a mass of cumulated hair within the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach is the common site of occurrence. Intestinal obstruction due to trichobezoar is extremely rare. The authors report two cases of a trichobezoar obstructing the terminal ileum in one and the jejunum in another.

Urethrocutaneous fistula is a common complication after hypospadias repair. If congenital, it is usually associated with other genitourinary and gastrointestinal anomalies. Isolated congenital urethral fistula is a very rare anomaly. We present a 4-year old circumcised boy with this unusual anomaly. Etiology, embryology, and management are discussed. We emphasize meticulous clinical examination for the diagnosis and to rule out other associated anomalies.