Outcome of cranial surgery in Nigerian patients with hemoglobinopathies: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Surgical intervention in patients with hemoglobinopathies has been extensively reviewed in the literature, but information on the outcome of cranial surgery in this patient population in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with hemoglobinopathies, who underwent brain surgery in our facility. The review covered a 5-year period. We examined patient- and surgery-related variables and described the surgical complications as well as the 60-day mortality. RESULTS: A total of nine procedures (eight under general anesthesia and one under local anesthesia) were performed on seven patients with hemoglobinopathy during the study period. Eight (88.9%) of these were done in female patients and one (11.1%) in a male patient. Six (66.7%) were performed in patients with no previous history of blood transfusion. Hb SC accounted for five (55.6%), Hb SS for three (33.3%), and Hb CC for one (11.1%) procedure, respectively. Three (33.3%) of these procedures were brain tumor-related, three (33.3%) trauma-related, one (11.1%) cosmetic, one (11.1%) vascular, and one for a postoperative complication. Only one (11.1%) procedure was associated with preoperative blood transfusion, whereas there was a need for blood transfusion following five (55.6%) of the procedures. There was a mortality rate of 11.1% (1 case). Other complications were recorded after three (33.3%) of the procedures and none with five (55.6%) of the procedures. CONCLUSION: Neurosurgery is possible and safe in patients with hemoglobin disorders. Adequate preoperative preparation, proper anesthetic techniques, meticulous surgery, and excellent postoperative care can help optimize outcome of surgical intervention in this patient population.