Month: October 2022

INGUINAL HERNIA Inguinal hernia is an extension of the processus vaginalis, which fails to close during foetal development. Through this opening abdominal content can herniate to varying extents into the inguinal canal and scrotal sac. The communicating type is the most common form and extends down into the scrotum;the non-communicating one is less common. Clinical […]

During development, the gastrointestinal tract first develops into a tube that later canalizes. Failure of this process during any stage may result in intestinal atresia, which can affect any section of the bowel and can have varying degrees of severity. Clinical Features For an upper GIT lesion, bilious vomiting will be the main form of […]

  Clinical Features Start classically with diffuse abdominal pain felt most prominently in the peritoeumblical area. There is anorexia and nausea. Vomiting may follow. Pain then settles in the right lower quadrant and is localized at McBurney’s point. The pain may be relieved briefly after perforation but is accentuated by ensuring diffuse peritonitis. There is […]

  This is inflammation of the peritoneum. Appreciate that peritonitis could be due to Tuberculosis and could also be aseptic. The aseptic type is usually due to chemical irritants like pancreatic juices, etc. Peritonitis usually ends up producing adhesions that may cause future bowel obstructions of varying degrees. Clinical Features Presentation is with an acute […]

Clinical Features In infants, suspect bowel obstruction if: No meconium is evacuated within the first 24 hours of birth. There is a green or bilious vomiting. There is abdominal distension. In older children and adults, suspect bowel obstruction if: There is constipation There is abdominal distension There is fever(if advanced obstruction is present). There are […]

Abdominal Conditions   ACUTE ABDOMEN Acute abdomen is a clinical term used to describe a syndrome that usually incorporates symptoms and signs in the abdomen. Central to the syndrome is severe, acute abdominal pain. The term” acute abdomen” is a symptomatic diagnosis and not a definitive one. It is critical in these patients that a […]

  Spinal injury could involve soft tissues(muscles and ligaments), bones(vertebrae and discs), and neural tissue(spinal cord and nerves). It is important for primary assessment to establish the presence of an injury and initiate immediate treatment to avoid worsening either the primary or the secondary injury. CAUSES OF SPINAL INJURIES Road traffic accidents Assaults Blunt Injury […]

  With the high number of road traffic accidents and assaults, this is a fairly common injury. Early and proper management is critical in order to avoid death and long-term morbidity. Investigations Radiological information of CT scan is usually more informative than simple skull radiograph. Management   Initiate resuscitation measures. Document accurately the neurological status […]

  This injury can present with an apparently frightening clinical picture. Do not panic! Traumatic injuries to the facial structures may be classified as: Soft tissue injuries +- tissue loss Hard tissue injuries +-bone loss Combined soft and hard tissue injuries. Management The management principles of maxillofacial injuries are: Advanced trauma life support (ATLS) principles […]

PENETRATING INJURY Common objects causing injury are knives, arrows, spears,and bullets.The objective of the management is to restore normal anatomy or physiology resulting from the stab injury.   Investigations For the majority of cases, the chest radiograph alone is adequate. Specialized investigations are ordered where more detail is required. Management Clean wounds and apply clean […]