Man with cervical myelopathy treated using Cervios cage in Abuja

Case report:

A fifty two year old gentleman was referred with a recent history of progressive decline in neurological function. He described numbness in both hands, decrease in dexterity, and progressive weakness in both lower limbs. He was profoundly disabled with inability to care for himself. Bathel index evaluation was 10/100. He was now bed bound and fully dependent on his family for eating, drinking, and other social functions.

MRI scan shows significant myelomalacia centred behind the C3/C4 level. He had a thick layer of osteophytes and thickened ligament compressing the cord at this level.

He was offered urgent cervical decompression and underwent a C3/C4 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using the Cervios cage with a Chrono insert. He made a good recovery and is currently undergoing physiotherapy.

This to my knowledge is the first time we will use the Cervios cage in Abuja. The kit (Synthes) was supplied by INFAX who have their head office in Lagos.

vital information for all

I have listed below the details of some companies and businesses that can supply instruments, sets and consumables for neurosurgical procedures. I think such vital information helps us to give the patients the best care, if we can source materials easily. One important thing that could come out of this is that we may be able to bulk buy and so buy at cheaper prices.

Better for us---our profit margins and better for the patients---cheaper, more affordable.

From Codman and Johnson & Johnson
Bactiseal Universal Shunt (New product) and ICP monitoring devices. Also many other products including spine instruments and aneurysm clips/applicators.
Contact Luther Obuotor, lobuotor@yahoo.co.uk
+2348056292425, +2348023316724

Also Ethicon products have a Territory Manager based in Abuja.
Contact Fabian Umeh, bobuc1800@yahoo.com
+2348036753934

From Emzor Hesco and B Braun/Aesculap
Instruments and consumables including shunts, pituitary equipment and histoacryl glue. Chinyere Okorie, chinaoko@yahoo.com. 08037412215. They sell the GAV shunt system (gravity assisted valve). Small and low profile so very good for babies with thin scalp.

From Implants International
Acrylic cement for cranioplasty. Spinal cages and pedicle screws and anterior cervical cages and plating systems.
Mohan Emmanuel, 00441642769080

From Dimsal Investments
Variety of instruments, machines such as bipolars, ultrasound, ECG and endoscopes.
Dr Salawu, 08034184110, email: dimsal_dimsal@yahoo.com

From the WFNS as you should know
For the basic neuroinstrument set, bipolar instrumentation and a microscope.
Contact Mrs Janette A. Joseph, Director
World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, Central Office
5 rue du Marché, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland
Tel: +41-22-3624303 Fax: +41-22-3624352
Email: janjoseph@wfns.ch
http://www.wfns.org/

Being product specific, see below

1. Sterile surgical drapes and gowns (Crown and Reed, Abuja: 0808514462)

2. IOBAN drape sheets to prevent surgical site infection (3M, USA. See www. 3M.com)
Contact Adebisi FamakinwaSales Consultant,3M Healthcare.Tel: +234 8023123913, 7028370904e-mail: afamakinwa@mmm.com

3. Surgicel hemostat (Codman, UK)

4. Bone wax (Emzor Hesco, Abuja, representing B Braun: 08037412215)

5. Brain cannula (Single Use Surgical, UK) Check http://www.susl.co.uk/ for suction cannulas as well as disposable Kerrison rongeurs. I am impressed with their products.

6. Duraguard (Forth Medical, UK). Justin Pahl, 07775801577

7. Duraseal/ Floseal (Baxter, UK). Aaron Dallimore, 07825365929

8. Tissel (Baxter, UK). Aaron Dallimore, 07825365929

9. Patties (Chelmer Surgical Supply, UK)

10. Wooly balls (Neurotechnics, UK)

11. Ligaclips (Ethicon, UK)

12. Skin staples (Adroit International, Abuja: 08029505007) or (Emzor Hesco, Abuja representing B Braun: 08037412215)

13. Lumbar drain and lumbo peritoneal shunts (Codman as above)

14. Ventriculo-periotoneal Shunts (Codman as above) or CHHABRA shunts from India

15. CSF drainage bags (Lumbar: Integra, UK and cranial: Codman or Cardinal Health, UK)

16. Raney Clips and applicators (Emzor Hesco, Abuja, representing B Braun: 08037412215)

Please email me with details of other people who you know and what they supply so the list can be as comprehensive as possible.