Congenital aganglionic mega colon (Hirschsprung's disease) is a motor disorder in the gut, due to a defect in the craniocaudal migration of the neuroblast originating from the neural crest that occurs during the first twelve weeks of gestation, causing a functional intestinal obstruction, with its attendant complications, in infants. Despite modern pediatric practice, with emphasis on early diagnosis, Hirschsprung's disease is seen in adults in regions where perinatal care is limited. We report two cases of Nigerian adults with longstanding, recurrent constipation, getting relieved by laxatives and herbal enemata, and then presented to our Emergency Department with a history of progressive abdominal distention, colicky pain, occasional vomiting, and weight loss. Per rectal examination revealed a gripping sensation in the rectum, 10 cm from the anal verge, with rectal fecal load. Barium enema showed a grossly distended proximal large colon, with high fecal retention, with the transition zone at the middle one-third of the rectum. Due to difficulty in bowel preparation of these patients, emergency laparotomy was done. The first case had a diverting sigmoid colostomy and later had a low anterior resection. The second case had a one-stage procedure. Histology of both the cases showed aganglionosis of the stenotic segment and a normal distal rectum. Both patients had complete resolution of the symptoms, without complications, in a three-year follow-up. The related literatures were reviewed. Hirschsprung's disease should be considered in adults patient presenting with chronic constipation. Low anterior resection of the rectum would be a surgical option for the treatment of short and zonal segment of adult Hirschsprung's disease.

We retrospectively studied 27 histologically diagnosed cases of schistosomiasis of the appendix at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital between January 1994 and December 2003. Of 1183 cases of appendices histologically examined, schistosomiasis was seen in 27 (2.3%).

PURPOSETo address the increasing burden of cancer in Nigeria, the National Cancer Control Plan outlines the development of 8 public comprehensive cancer centers. We map population-level geospatial access to these eight centers and explore equity of access and the impact of future development.METHODSGeospatial methods were used to estimate population-level travel times to the 8 cancer centers. A cost distance model was built using open source road infrastructure data with verified speed limits. Geolocated population estimates were amalgamated with this model to calculate travel times to cancer centers at a national and regional level for both the entire population and the population living on < US$2 per day.RESULTSOverall, 68.9% of Nigerians have access to a comprehensive cancer center at 4 hours of continuous vehicular travel. However, there is significant variability in access between geopolitical zones (P < .001). The North East has the lowest access at 4 hours (31.4%) and the highest mean travel times (268 minutes); this is significantly lower than the proportion with 4-hour access in the South East (31.4% v 85.0%, respectively; P < .001). The addition of a second comprehensive cancer center in the North East, in either Bauchi or Gombe, would significantly improve access to this underserved region.CONCLUSIONThe Federal Ministry of Health endorses investment in 8 public comprehensive cancer centers. Strengthening these centers will allow the majority of Nigerians to access the full complement of multidisciplinary care within a reasonable time frame. However, geospatial access remains inequitable, and the impact on outcomes is unclear. This must be considered as the cancer control system matures and expands.

BACKGROUND: Effective medical management of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has reduced the incidence of gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) as a complication, but perforation especially in the elderly remains unchanged and is in fact on the increase. There is a changing trend in emergency surgery for perforated duodenal ulcer (PDU) from definitive anti-ulcer surgery to simple closure followed by Helicobacter pylori eradication. OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in managing PDU with simple closure followed by Helicobacter pylori eradication. METHODS: This was a chart review of patients managed for PDU over a nine-year period (Jan 1999-Dec 2007) using information obtained from ward admission registers, theatre operation registers, and patients' case files from the medical records department. The patient's biodata, clinical, and operative findings as well as treatment outcome were extracted for analysis. RESULTS: Of 55 patients eligible for analysis, 44 (80%) were males and 11(20%) females (M: F=4:1). Their ages ranged between 18 and 65 years with a mean ± SD of 39.9 ±13.5 years. Most of the patients [34 (61.8%)] were below 40 years of age and majority 39(71.0%) had a history suggestive of chronic peptic ulcer disease. Twenty-six (47.3%) patients presented within 24 hours of perforation, while nine (16.4%) presented more than 72 hours afterwards. The latter group accounted for most [five(55.6%)] of the mortality. All the perforations were anterior pyloroduodenal and all except one had simple closure with omental patch followed by a course of a proton pump inhibitor and Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. CONCLUSION: Simple closure with omental patch followed by Helicobacter pylori eradication is effective in managing PDU with low morbidity and mortality despite patients' late presentation in our center. This technique is recommended in place of a definitive ulcer surgery. WAJM 2009; 28(6): 384-387.

Background:Intestinal perforations cause generalized peritonitis and overwhelming sepsis resulting in high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the present study was to review the causes and treatment outcome of non-traumatic perforation peritonitis in a government referral hospital in north-eastern Nigeria. Patients and Methods: In a retrospective study, the clinical records of 153 patients with intraoperative diagnosis of non-traumatic perforation associated peritonitis managed in the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, Nigeria between June 2004 and May 2009 were reviewed. Results: One hundred and fifty-three patients, comprising 112 males (73.2%) and 41 females were operated for perforation peritonitis, including 31 (20.3%) children. The mean age was 21.88 years Ϯ 14.51 (range 4-70). The mean time lapse between onset of symptoms and presentation to hospital was 5.4 Ϯ 3.7 days (range 0.75-21). Forty-eight (31.4%) of the patients were operated within 24 h of presentation and 105 (68.3%) after 24 h. The main symptoms were abdominal pain in 150 (98.9%), fever in 108 (70.6%), and abdominal distention in 108 (70.6%). The main causes of perforation peritonitis were typhoid ileal perforation in 98 (64.0%), perforated peptic ulcer in 25 (16.3%) and perforated appendix in 22. Tuberculous ileal perforation was seen in one (0.6%) patient. Wound infection 39 (25.5%) and wound dehiscence 15 (9.8%), were the most common postoperative complications. Enterocutaneous fistula was seen in 21 (13.7%) of the patients and was associated with mortality in nine (42.8%) patients. The overall mortality rate was 26.1%, mainly from overwhelming sepsis and severe electrolyte derangement. Conclusion: The outcome of perforation peritonitis depended on the underlying cause, the duration of symptoms before treatment, and the general health of the patient. Typhoid ileal perforation is the most common cause of perforation peritonitis in our environment.