Encephalocele--a single institution African experience.

OBJECTIVE

This study seeks to find out the presentation, management and 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 manage d 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.