Cardiothoracic surgical emergencies in a Niger Delta Tertiary Health Institution: A 12 month appraisal

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many cardiothoracic surgical emergencies maybe life threatening. More than 70% of these are caused by thoracic trauma. Fortunately about 85% of thoracic trauma may be optimally treated with closed tube thoracostomy drainage (CTTD) or lesser procedures. A well dedicated trauma / cardiothoracic surgical unit is needed to significantly reduce the death toll from thoracic trauma.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to audit the cases of cardiothoracic surgical emergencies that presented to, and were managed in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital over a one-year period in order to provide a database prior to a formal setup of a cardiothoracic surgery unit.
STUDY DESIGN: Clinical records of all patients with cardiothoracic surgical emergencies who presented during the period under review were analyzed.
RESULTS: There were 54 patients with cardiothoracic surgical emergencies during the period with male: female ratio of 2:1, and mean age of 30 years. Eighty-five per cent had thoracic trauma and 15% had major peripheral vascular injury. Thirty-five (64.8%) of the patients were treated in our hospital with medications and additional closed tube thoracostomy drainage in 51.9%. The remaining 35.2% of the patients were referred to cardiothoracic centre / units in other states over a range of 80 to 300 km away from Uyo, Nigeria.
CONCLUSION: Our findings conform to the known epidemiological pattern of cardiothoracic surgical emergencies, and emphasize the urgent need for a functional / well equipped cardiothoracic surgical unit in our hospital.