Typhoid Perforation in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Background: Typhoid fever is still a serious health burden in our environment. Though it is primarily a medical problem, its complications such as perforation require the attention of the surgeon. The disease spears no age or sex; including pregnant women. Four patients with pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions were managed during this period of review and this actually stimulated this study.
Method: This is a retrospective study of all patients managed for typhoid perforation over a five-year period in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Results: Four hundred and sixty-seven patients were managed for typhoid fever in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital during the 5-year study period. Forty-three (9.2%) of these patients had typhoid perforations. There were six (14%) deaths among those patients with perforations. High rate of mortality was noted among those with pregnancy and pregnancy related perforations (50%) and multiple perforations requiring resection and anastomosis (100%).
Conclusion: The morbidity and mortality associated with typhoid fever in our environment can only be reduced significantly when the nation and public health officials begin to pursue the principles of primary health care with all seriousness it deserves i.e. emphasis on provision of potable water supply and sanitation.