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Encephalocele--a single institution African experience
N Munyi1, D Poenaru, R Bransford
1AIC Kijabe Hospital, Kenya.
Objective:
This study seeks to find out the presentation, management and complications of encephaloceles in an African setting.
Design:
a retrospective study reviewing the age and sex of the patients, type and contents of encephaloceles, associated anomalies, preoperative evaluation and investigations, surgical approaches, intra- and post-operative complications as well as follow-up outcomes.
Setting:
Bethany Crippled Children's centre and Bethanykids at Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), between January 1998 and August 2006.
Patients:
Of the 53 patients seen, 23 were males and 30 females. The median age at presentation was four months.
Results:
The follow-up period extended to eight years. Twenty nine patients had occipital encephaloceles, and 39 were operated using the direct external approach. Cererobrospinal fluid leak was the most common post-operative complication. Recurrence occurred in four patients and death in six.
Conclusions:
Most of the encephalocele patients manage d at BKKH had good outcomes and proceeded to live normal or near-normal lives. Our study confirms that even in resource-constrained areas, children with encephaloceles can be successfully managed with acceptable outcomes.
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