TITLE:
Practice of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the “Hôpital Spécialisé Mère-Enfant Blanche Gomes” in the Republic of the Congo
AUTHORS:
Boukaka Kala Rel Gerald, Kinata Bambino Sinclair Brice, Ekouele Mbaki Hughes Brieux, Bingui Outman Pascal Diogène, Boukassa Léon, Moukouengo Nee Kaya Fleur Patricia, Mabiala Babela Jean Robert
KEYWORDS:
Neurosurgery, Pediatric, Practice, Brazzaville
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Pediatric Neurosurgery is a growing specialty in its own right worldwide.
Its practice in sub-Saharan Africa remains confronted with many challenges, notably
the absence of a pediatric neurosurgeon, the lack of a dedicated service and the
absence of multidisciplinary pediatric collaboration (neuroanesthesist, neurologist,
oncologist and psychotherapist). The objective of this preliminary study is to describe
the practice of pediatric neurosurgery at the HSMEBG and to present perspectives
for its improvement. Methods: This is a retrospective, monocentric, descriptive study covering the period
from March 2021 to March 2022 at the Pediatric Surgery Department of the HSMEBG. Résults: During the study period, 50 children were hospitalized
for a neurosurgical condition. The sex ratio was 1.77. The
average age was 6 years with extremes of 2 weeks and 16 years. Most children
were from the emergency department (46%). Computed tomography (CT) was performed
in 35 patients (70%), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 4% and plain radiography
in two patients (8%). Malformative, traumatic (cranial and spinal) and tumor pathology
were the most frequent with 42%, 36% and 12% respectively. Twenty-six patients were
operated (52%). We recorded one postoperative infection (2.5%). The overall mortality
was 8% (N = 4). Conclusion: This preliminary study allowed us to identify the epidemiological
and clinical profile of the patients treated in our context as well as the therapeutic
approach. Malformative pathology remains the most frequent, followed by traumatic
and tumor pathology. The development of the practice of this discipline remains
a challenge in our working conditions and requires the training of pediatric neurosurgeons
and dedicated paramedical staff.