Publication:

Spectrum of urological procedures in Yobe State University Teaching Hospital: an initial experience in a young west African hospital

Background In auditing the surgical procedures of a hospital, services rendered to patients are reviewed using the data generated from the procedures, hence the outcome is used as a framework for improvement in future and capacity building. Objectives of the study were to analyze the indications for Urological procedures with the procedures performed at Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (YSUTH) and share our experience, with recommendation for future improvement.

Methods Retrospective hospital-based study on patients who had urological procedures done in YSUTH between March 2018 to April 2020. Urology patients that have not undergone any urological procedure were excluded from the study. Data obtained from the records in the operation theatre, emergency unit and medical record department of the hospital.

Results There were 185 patients with indications for surgery, constituting 41.0% of all general surgery patients. Male to female ratio was 8.7:1 and the median age range was 70-79 years. A sum of 212 urology procedures performed. Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatectomies were the commonest diagnoses and elective procedures respectively, while urethral stricture and bladder cancer were the 2nd and 3rd diagnose respectively. Urethral catheterization for urine retention in BPH was the commonest emergency procedure. Cystoscopy was the commonest day case and the commonest among endo-urology procedures.

Conclusions BPH, followed by urethral strictures and bladder cancers were the commonest diagnoses and indications for surgery. Urine retention in BPH is the commonest emergency requiring urthral catherization. Creation of dedicated day surgery unit and employment of permanentt consultant urologists and more  health personnels relevant to urology, will improve the quality and quantity of services rendered.