Pattern of Pediatric Surgical Admission in Yirgalem Hospital Southern Ethiopia

Background: Pediatric surgical admissions are daily practice at zonal hospital. To Design strategy for appropriate management and evidence about magnitude of the problem are crucial, including pattern of disease condition and factor affecting the outcome. Objective: To analyze the pattern of pediatric surgical admission and factors affecting the outcomes. Methods: Prospective descriptive case series analysis was conducted from September 2004 August 2005. Out of 144 children were admitted during study period 134 children’s data were analyzed and 10 children excluded from study due to parent’s refusal for intervention or discharged against medical advice. Results: The study showed emergency cases were predominating 73.13% (98) and elective cases were less common 36 (26.26%). Mortality recorded exclusively in children admitted on emergency basis 10 children (7.46%). Acute abdomen was found the leading causes of death in this study (6 children). Delay in presentation also recorded in these children. Author believes that this is one factor that increases the mortality rate. High mortality was also recorded in Toddlers admitted with foreign body in airway (aspiration). Conclusion: Many emergency and elective pediatric surgical patients can be managed at Zonal Hospital by General Surgeons with acceptable outcomes. Frequent skill training like of usage rigid bronchoscope improves outcome in children with foreign body aspiration. High morbidly recorded in children with trauma of the limbs needs further study.