Urological Surgeries in a West African Teaching Hospital

Urological surgeries are a significant part of surgical services. The need for these services varies regionally and globally. Knowledge of the local need is important for prioritisation of resources.

To describe the urological procedures done in our hospital for effective utilisation of the already scarce resource in this region.

This was a retrospective one-year study of the urosurgical cases done in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. The main theatre register was used to collate data. Data collected included age, sex, operation done and anaesthesia employed.

One hundred and twenty-two male and three female patients were included with a male-to-female ratio of 41:1. The mean age of the patients was 56.6 ± 19.89 years. Elective cases accounted for 102 (81.6%) of surgeries. Regional anaesthesia was the most common form of anaesthesia accounting for 105 (84%) followed by local anaesthesia in 16 (12.8%). Day cases accounted for 77 (61.6%) of procedures. More than 80% of the study population was 50 years and older. Overall, the three most common performed surgeries were digital-guided prostate biopsy 47 (37.6%), suprapubic cystostomy 16 (12.8%) and open prostatectomy 9 (7.2%). In male patients, the three most common procedures were prostate biopsy 47 (38.5%), suprapubic cystostomy 16 (13.1 %), open prostatectomy 9 (7.4%) whereas nephrectomy, pyeloplasty and stent removal each accounted for 33.3% each of procedures in female patients. Endourological procedures accounted for 5 (4%) of cases.

Open surgeries accounted for the majority of these cases done with prostate-related procedures being the most common procedures. Few endourological procedures were performed.