The Second Liver Surgery Symposium of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital was held on Tuesday at the Hospital’s premises in Kano, North West, Nigeria.
Organized by the Department of Surgery, the symposium has as its theme, ‘Multidisciplinary Approach to Management of Portal Hypertension ‘.
In an interview with Nigerian Kicker, the Head of General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Dr. Ibrahim E. Suleiman, said the symposium was organized to bring to the fore the inter disciplinary aspects of Portal Hypertension and its management.
The Medical practitioner also said Portal Hypertension has severe consequences which can lead to death within a short period due to vomiting of blood and or internal bleeding.
Dr. Suleiman explained that the main cause of Portal Hypertension is chronic Liver disease caused by the hepatitis virus.
He disclosed that people who indulge in taking alcohol can develop Liver disease.This is in addition to taking overdose of herbal drugs as the Liver and the kidney will be subjected to metabolizing them by removing the substances from circulation which will eventually lead to the damage of the liver.
In addition, consumption of heavy metal from water intake will on the long run cause liver disease.
Dr. Suleiman said the treatment is affordable which is either through Interventional Radiology or Endescopic treatment and when it becomes very severe, surgery is the solution.
He said Portal Hypertension or Liver disease are better prevented while proper screening of blood before transfusion is necessary.
The Medical Doctor also suggested vaccination against hepatitis B, the non consumption of alcohol while Government should provide safe drinking water.
During the symposium, papers were presented on Overview of Portal Hypertension among Paediatric and adult patients by Dr. Bashiruddeen Lawal and Dr. Muhammad Gaddafi Manzo and Hematological Changes in Portal Hypertension by Dr. Usman Abdullahi Makuku.
Others are Non Surgical Treatment of Portal Hypertension by Dr. Habibu Tijjani Saleh, Radiological Evaluation and Intervention by Dr. Muhammad Ali Shehu and Anesthetic Consideration by Dr. Kabir Usman Aliyu.
Dr. Ibrahim E. Suleiman, Head of General Surgery Unit AKTH.
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