Spectrum of Neurosurgical Operations at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The field of neurosurgery is growing in Nigeria and in many parts of Africa. Nonetheless, there is little information on the types of neurosurgical operations being performed in the country especially outside of the early-generation neurosurgery centres. This study details the spectrum of neurosurgical operations in a new generation neurosurgery centre.

METHODS: A retrospective review of neurosurgical operations performed at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria from October 2011 to June 2022 was done. The neurosurgery operation register was reviewed for data on patients’ demographics, clinical diagnoses, types of operations performed and kinds of anaesthesia used. Simple descriptive statistical analysis was done.

RESULTS: 269 operations were performed in 257 patients. Males were 175(68.1%). Their ages ranged from 10days to 96years with a mean of 38.5years. 62(24.1%) were children. The most common diagnoses were acute traumatic brain injury (57, 22.2%), chronic subdural haematomas (38, 14.8%), brain tumours (30, 11.7%), hydrocephalus (25, 9.7%) and lumbar spondylosis (22, 8.6%). The most common procedures were burr holes (61, 22.7%), laminectomy (61, 22.7%), ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (27, 10.0%), craniotomy for tumour excision (25, 9.3%) and trauma craniotomy (24, 8.9%). Adjunct procedures included spinal stabilisation using Adeolu’s technique (20, 7.4%), spinal wiring (5, 1.9%), lumbar discectomy (7, 2.6%) and skull-base repair (2, 0.7%). 148(55.0%) of the procedures were done as emergency. General anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation was the most common type of anaesthesia (200, 74.3%).

CONCLUSION: A wide spectrum of neurosurgical operations was performed. These were mostly carried out in male adults and as emergency procedures.