A FIVE YEAR AUDIT OF GYNAECOLOGICAL LAPAROSCOPY AT USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOKOTO, NIGERIA

Constance E. Shehu* and Bilal Sulaiman

ABSTRACT

Gynaecological laparoscopy is a trans-peritoneal endoscopic technique that provides excellent visualisation of the pelvic structures and often permits the diagnosis of gynaecologic disorders and pelvic surgery without laparotomy. It is one of the most common surgical procedures performed by gynaecologists and the most important investigative tool for the evaluation of tubal disease in developed countries. In developing countries particularly sub-Saharan Africa, gynaecological laparoscopy, is still evolving and is mainly diagnostic. This study aimed to determine the incidence, indications and complications of gynaecological laparoscopy and to outline the common findings at laparoscopy in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto. Materials and Methods: It was a 5-year retrospective study. Records of patients, who had gynaecological laparoscopy from 1st January 2008 to 31st December, 2012 were retrieved and relevant data extracted and analyzed using the SPSS for windows version 20.0. Results: There were 1047 gynaecological surgeries within the period under review with 92 laparoscopies giving an incidence of 8.8% or 87.9 per 1000. All the procedures were diagnostic and infertility, (58.3%) was the common indication followed by amenorrhea (13.1%). Common findings at laparoscopy were pelvic adhesions 38(45.2%), bilateral tubal block 35 (41.7%) and bilateral patent tubes 11(13.1%). Majority of the patients, 54(64.2%) did not have any complication. Vomiting, 11(13.1%) was the most common complication followed by abdominal pain 8(9.9%). Only 32 (38.1%) were discharged one day post laparoscopy. Conclusion: This incidence is low and shows limited skills, logistics and manpower. Efforts should be intensified towards training and provision of up to date facilities for endoscopic surgery especially in North-western Nigeria.

Keywords: Gynaecological, Diagnostic, Laparoscopy, UDUTH, Sokoto.