Steven T Edino1, Ahmed A Yakubu. 1. Department of Surgery, Gastroenterology Unit, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. steveedino@yahoo.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pancreatic pseudocyst is an uncommon disorder in Nigeria compared with the Caucasian population. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to determine the pattern and outcome of surgical management of the disease in a Nigerian population. METHODS: The authors reviewed the records of 10 consecutive patients with pancreatic pseudocysts who were surgically managed in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, from November 1998 to October 2005. RESULTS: There were four males and six females, with a mean age of 19.2 years. The etiological factors included idiopathic acute pancreatitis in a two-year old child and blunt abdominal trauma in two patients. In seven patients, the cause could not be determined. The most common clinical features included epigastric pain, fever, intra-abdominal mass and vomiting. The duration of symptoms ranged from 15-204 days (mean=102 days). Open cystogastrostomy was done in eight patients, and two patients had cystoduodenostomy. The mean duration of hospital stay after surgery was 9.4 days (range = 7-15 days). There was no recurrence in any of the patients after about 3-9 months of follow-up with ultrasonography, and no death was recorded. CONCLUSION: Open surgical internal drainage is safe and effective with low morbidity and mortality. There is a need for provision of facilities for minimally invasive laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques.
BACKGROUND:Pancreatic pseudocyst is an uncommon disorder in Nigeria compared with the Caucasian population. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to determine the pattern and outcome of surgical management of the disease in a Nigerian population. METHODS: The authors reviewed the records of 10 consecutive patients with pancreatic pseudocysts who were surgically managed in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, from November 1998 to October 2005. RESULTS: There were four males and six females, with a mean age of 19.2 years. The etiological factors included idiopathic acute pancreatitis in a two-year old child and blunt abdominal trauma in two patients. In seven patients, the cause could not be determined. The most common clinical features included epigastric pain, fever, intra-abdominal mass and vomiting. The duration of symptoms ranged from 15-204 days (mean=102 days). Open cystogastrostomy was done in eight patients, and two patients had cystoduodenostomy. The mean duration of hospital stay after surgery was 9.4 days (range = 7-15 days). There was no recurrence in any of the patients after about 3-9 months of follow-up with ultrasonography, and no death was recorded. CONCLUSION: Open surgical internal drainage is safe and effective with low morbidity and mortality. There is a need for provision of facilities for minimally invasive laparoscopic and endoscopic techniques.