Peripheral vascular surgical procedures in Ilorin, Nigeria: indications and outcome

Background: Data on peripheral vascular surgical interventions from Nigeria is scanty. Reports form Western and Eastern Nigeria dates back about twodecades. This study therefore analyses the various etiological conditions necessitating intervention, and their outcome.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients requiring surgical intervention on peripheral vessels from a prospectively collected single surgeon database over a two-year period was conducted. Data were analysed using SPSS version 15.0 windows statistical package.
Results: Fourteen peripheral vascular surgical procedures were performed. The age range was 2-70years (24.4±16.3) with five cases (35.7%) in 20-29year group. Trauma accounted for 11 (73.3%) cases. Upper limb involvement occurred in 7 (63.6%) of the traumatic cases whereas all 2 true aneurysm occurred in the lower limb. Direct repair was possible in re-establishing anatomic continuity in about 64% of cases. Of the six morbidities, wound infection accounted for 50% followed by failure of re-vascularizaton (33.3%) and there was one mortality.
Conclusion: Trauma is the leading cause of peripheral vascular condition necessitating surgery from our study. Young adults predominate. Though direct repair are often feasible, there is a need for the availability of graft options. Wound infection constitutes the highest post-operative morbidity.