Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery, 2023, 13, 41-50
https://www.scirp.org/journal/ojmn
ISSN Online: 2163-0585
ISSN Print: 2163-0569
DOI: 10.4236/ojmn.2023.131006 Jan. 31, 2023 41 Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery
Practice of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the
“Hôpital Spécialisé Mère-Enfant Blanche
Gomes” in the Republic of the Congo
Boukaka Kala Rel Gerald
1
, Kinata Bambino Sinclair Brice
2
, Ekouele Mbaki Hughes Brieux
2,3
,
Bingui Outman Pascal Diogène
4
, Boukassa Léon
2,3
, Moukouengo Nee Kaya Fleur Patricia
1
,
Mabiala Babela Jean Robert
3
1
Service de chirurgie pédiatrique, Hôpital spécialisé Mère-Enfant Blanche Gomes (HSMEBG), Brazzaville, Républic of the
Congo
2
Service de Chirurgie Polyvalente, CHU de Brazzaville, Brazzaville, Républic of the Congo
3
Faculty of Health Sciences, Université Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville, Républic of the Congo
4
Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital spécialisé Mère-Enfant Blanche Gomes (HSMEBG), Brazzaville, Républic of the Congo
Abstract
Introduction: Pediatric Neurosurgery is a growing specialty in its own right
worldwide. Its practice in sub-Saharan Africa remains confronted with many
challenges, notably the absence of a pediatric neurosurgeon, the lack of a
dedicated service and the absence of multidisciplinary pediatric collaboration
(neuroanesthesist, neurologist, oncologist and psychotherapist). The objective
of this preliminary study is to describe the practice of pediatric neurosurgery
at the HSMEBG and to present perspectives for its improvement. Methods:
This is a retrospective, monocentric, descriptive study covering the period
from March 2021 to March 2022 at the Pediatric Surgery Department of the
HSMEBG. Résults: During the study period, 50 children were hospitalized
for a neurosurgical condition. The sex ratio was 1.77. The average age was 6
years with extremes of 2 weeks and 16 years. Most children were from the
emergency department (46%). Computed tomography (CT) was performed
in 35 patients (70%), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 4% and plain ra-
diography in two patients (8%). Malformative, traumatic (cranial and spinal)
and tumor pathology were the most frequent with 42%, 36% and 12% respec-
tively. Twenty-six patients were operated (52%). We recorded one postopera-
tive infection (2.5%). The overall mortality was 8% (N = 4). Conclusion: This
preliminary study allowed us to identify the epidemiological and clinical pro-
file of the patients treated in our context as well as the therapeutic approach.
Malformative pathology remains the most frequent, followed by traumatic
and tumor pathology. The development of the practice of this discipline re-
How to cite this paper: Gerald, B.K.R.,
Brice, K.B.S., Brieux, E.M.H., Diogène, B.O.P.,
Léon, B., Patricia, M.N.K.F. and Robert, M.B.J.
(2023) Practice of Pediatric Neurosurgery at
the “Hôpital Spécialisé Mère-Enfant Blanche
Gomes” in the Republic of the Congo. Open
Journal of Modern Neurosurgery, 13, 41-50.
https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmn.2023.131006
Received: May 13, 2022
Accepted: January 28, 2023
Published: January 31, 2023
Copyright © 2023 by author(s) and
Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution International
License (CC BY 4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Open Access