Encephalocele - A single institution african experience

Abstract

Objective: This study seeks to find out the presentation, managementand complications of encephaloceles in an African setting. Design: a retrospective study reviewing the age and sex of the patients, type and contents of encephaloceles, associated anomalies, preoperative evaluation and investigations, surgical approaches, intra- and post-operative complications as well as follow-up outcomes. Setting: Bethany Crippled Children's centre and Bethanykids at Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), between January 1998 and August 2006. Patients: Of the 53 patients seen, 23 were males and 30 females. The median age at presentation was four months. Results: The follow-up period extended to eight years. Twenty nine patients had occipital encephaloceles, and 39 were operated using the direct external approach. Cererobrospinal fluid leak was the most common post-operative complication. Recurrence occurred in four patients and death in six. Conclusions: Most of the encephalocele patients managed at BKKH had good outcomes and proceeded to live normal or near-normal lives. Our study confirms that even in resource-constrained areas, children with encephaloceles can be successfully managed with acceptable outcomes.