scholarly journals The Experience with a Surgical Camp in a Rural Hospital in Northern Uganda

2021 ◽  
pp. 174-179
Author(s):  
Richard Wismayer
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
Rural Hospital ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Northern Uganda ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Type Of Anaesthesia

Introduction: In Sub-Saharan Africa, surgical conditions remain neglected in its health care systems. This results in a low surgical output from district hospitals with many patients referred to Referral Hospitals in the region. Therefore surgical camps in district hospitals are often necessary where volunteer surgical teams perform a wide range of mostly elective surgical procedures. These surgical camps are pre-planned activities carried out at no cost to the patients who belong to poor and hard to reach vulnerable communities. The purpose of this surgical camp was to offer free specialised surgical service in a rural hospital and hence improve surgical access to a poor vulnerable community in Northern Uganda. Training basic surgical skills and the provision of continuous medical education to medical officers in the region was also part of the objective of this surgical camp. Methods: A descriptive study using data collected from a one week surgical camp in the year 2011 was performed at St. Joseph’s Maracha Hospital. Data from operating log forms regarding date of procedure, patient gender, clinical diagnosis, operation performed and type of anaesthesia was obtained. Data was analysed for age, sex, type and rate of surgical procedure and type of anaesthesia. The participants’ involved specialist general surgeons, medical officers, clinical officers, theatre nurses and anaesthetists. Results: In total, 105 surgical procedures were performed during the 7-day-long camp. Mean age of the patients was 39.54 years. The male: female ratio was 1:0.38. Adult inguinal herniorrhaphy formed 68.6% of all surgical procedures. Conclusions: The bulk of surgical disease encountered during the camp were inguinal hernias. Surgical camps improve access to surgical care to vulnerable hard to reach populations and should become an integral part of health service delivery in rural Africa.

scholarly journals Surgery at Cranio-vertebral (CV) Junction: Our Experience of 32 Cases

1970 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-84
Author(s):  
FH Chowdhury ◽  
MR Haque ◽  
NKSM Chowdhury ◽  
MS Islam ◽  
Z Raihan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Type I ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Chiari Malformation Type I ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Neoplastic Lesion ◽  
Wide Range

Cranio vertebral (CV) junction is one of the critical sites for surgery. It's anatomy, physiological aspects and pathological involvement varies in a wide range of margins. Common problems are developmental anomalies, traumatic involvement, inflammatory, infective and neoplastic lesion. Management of these problems varies a lot from each other. Aim of the article is to overview the pathologies in this area and to study presentations, investigations, surgical procedures and results of these pathologies. We prospectively analyzed 32 cases of Cranio-vertebral (CV) region surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, from 2000 to 2008. In our series, male and female ratio was 7.2:1. Pathologies were atlanto- axial dislocation (AAD), Chiari malformation type –I, schwannoma, meningioma, hydatid cyst and tuberculosis. Common clinical findings were- neck pain, quadriparesis, quadriplegia, hand atrophy, autonomic dysfunction and hypertension. Various types of surgical procedures were done in this series according to the pathology. Death was in 01 case, neurological deterioration seen in one case, 2 cases were neurologically stable and 28 cases (87.5%) improved neurologically where one was non useful improvement (Frankel grade-C). Complete pre operative radiological study is a very important adjunct for a successful surgical result. Proper evaluation of patients with selection of appropriate surgical procedures along with safe surgical techniques are the necessary things for successful surgery in this area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v29i2.7952 (J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2011; 29: 78-84)

scholarly journals Surgical ambulance referrals in sub-Saharan Africa – financial costs and coping strategies at district hospitals in Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martilord Ifeanyichi ◽  
Henk Broekhuizen ◽  
Mweene Cheelo ◽  
Adinan Juma ◽  
Gerald Mwapasa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Hospital Managers ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Microsoft Office ◽  
Patient Referrals

Abstract Background An estimated nine out of ten persons in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are unable to access timely, safe and affordable surgery. District hospitals (DHs) which are strategically located to provide basic (non-specialist) surgical care for rural populations have in many instances been compromised by resource inadequacies, resulting in unduly frequent patient referrals to specialist hospitals. This study aimed to quantify the financial burdens of surgical ambulance referrals on DHs and explore the coping strategies employed by these facilities in navigating the challenges. Methods We employed a multi-methods descriptive case study approach, across a total of 14 purposively selected DHs; seven, three, and four in Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia, respectively. Three recurrent cost elements were identified: fuel, ambulance maintenance and staff allowances. Qualitative data related to coping mechanisms were obtained through in-depth interviews of hospital managers while quantitative data related to costs of surgical referrals were obtained from existing records (such as referral registers, ward registers, annual financial reports, and other administrative records) and expert estimates. Interview notes were analysed by manual thematic coding while referral statistics and finance data were processed and analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2016. Results At all but one of the hospitals, respondents reported inadequacies in numbers and functional states of the ambulances: four centres indicated employing non-ambulance vehicles to convey patients occassionally. No statistically significant correlation was found between referral trip distances and total annual numbers of referral trips, but hospital managers reported considering costs in referral practices. For instance, ten of the study hospitals reported combining patients to minimize trip frequencies. The total cost of ambulance use for patient transportation ranged from I$2 k to I$58 k per year. Between 34% and 79% of all patient referrals were surgical, with total costs ranging from I$1 k to I$32 k per year. Conclusion Cost considerations strongly influence referral decisions and practices, indicating a need for increases in budgetary allocations for referral services. High volumes of potentially avoidable surgical referrals provide an economic case – besides equitable access to healthcare – for scaling up surgery capacity at the district level as savings from decreased referrals could be reinvested in referral systems strengthening.

scholarly journals Addressing Pediatric HIV Pretreatment Drug Resistance and Virologic Failure in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Diagnostic-Based Strategies in Children ≥3 Years Old

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 567
Author(s):  
Mutita Siriruchatanon ◽  
Shan Liu ◽  
James G. Carlucci ◽  
Eva A. Enns ◽  
Horacio A. Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Virologic Failure ◽  
Pediatric Hiv ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Financial Investment ◽  
Switching Strategy ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv

Improvement of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen switching practices and implementation of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) testing are two potential approaches to improve health outcomes for children living with HIV. We developed a microsimulation model of disease progression and treatment focused on children with perinatally acquired HIV in sub-Saharan Africa who initiate ART at 3 years of age. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic-based strategies (improved switching and PDR testing), over a 10-year time horizon, in settings without and with pediatric dolutegravir (DTG) availability as first-line ART. The improved switching strategy increases the probability of switching to second-line ART when virologic failure is diagnosed through viral load testing. The PDR testing strategy involves a one-time PDR test prior to ART initiation to guide choice of initial regimen. When DTG is not available, PDR testing is dominated by the improved switching strategy, which has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of USD 579/life-year gained (LY), relative to the status quo. If DTG is available, improved switching has a similar ICER (USD 591/LY) relative to the DTGstatus quo. Even when substantial financial investment is needed to achieve improved regimen switching practices, the improved switching strategy still has the potential to be cost-effective in a wide range of sub-Saharan African countries. Our analysis highlights the importance of strengthening existing laboratory monitoring systems to improve the health of children living with HIV.

scholarly journals Ostomy-Related Complications

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (03) ◽  
pp. 176-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Murken ◽  
Joshua Bleier
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Parastomal Hernia ◽  
Significant Morbidity ◽  
Stoma Formation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Peristomal Skin ◽  
Stomal Stenosis

AbstractIleostomy or colostomy formation is an important component of many surgical procedures performed for a wide range of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the frequency with which intestinal stomas are created, stoma-related complications remain common and are associated with significant morbidity as well as cost. Some of the most prevalent complications of stoma formation which will be detailed in this article include peristomal skin complications, retraction, stomal necrosis, stomal stenosis, prolapse, bleeding, dehydration from high ostomy output, and parastomal hernia. The authors will review these common complications, detail means to avoid or prevent them, and outline recommendations for management.

Cassava Processing in Sub-Saharan Africa: the Implications for Expanding Cassava Production

1994 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Izu Nweke
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Intensive Use ◽  
Cassava Production ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Processing Techniques ◽  
Technical Solutions ◽  
Poor Soil

Cassava makes an important contribution to improving food security and rural incomes in sub-Saharan Africa, as it is tolerant of drought and poor soil and its cultivation does not require much labour. However, the fresh roots are bulky and perishable and need to be processed before they can be marketed; processing also removes the cyanogens which make many varieties poisonous in their raw form. Cassava roots are turned into granules, flours, pastes and chips, with a wide range of flavours and appearances for different areas and markets. Many different processing techniques are used, some of which make intensive use of fuelwood while others require a plentiful water supply. These requirements, as well as the need for a good transport and marketing infrastructure, limit the expansion of cassava production in sub-Saharan Africa, but technical solutions are being found.

scholarly journals Multiple sclerosis in Kenya: Demographic and clinical characteristics of a registry cohort

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 205521732110227
Author(s):  
Imran Jamal ◽  
Jasmit Shah ◽  
Peter Mativo ◽  
Juzar Hooker ◽  
Mitchell Wallin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Referral Hospital ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Neuro Imaging

Background Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the leading cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in young adults. There is limited literature regarding the burden of MS in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Objective To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with MS (PwMS) presenting to a tertiary referral hospital in Nairobi. Methods We conducted a retrospective descriptive study for PwMS presenting to Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi from 2008–2018. Results 99 cases met the diagnostic criteria for MS with a male to female ratio of 1:4. Majority (68.7%) of PwMS were indigenous Africans with a mean age of onset of 30.7 years. Mean duration from symptom onset to first neuro-imaging was 5.04 years. Only 33% of patients had sensory symptoms at onset whereas 54.5% had vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency. Majority (79.5%) had relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and 56.6% were initiated on disease modifying therapy (DMT). Only 21.2% of patients on DMT were non-compliant. Patients with RRMS were more likely to be initiated on DMT at our hospital (p < 0.001). Conclusion Clinical characteristics of these patients largely resemble those of other SSA cohorts and African American patients. There was a delay between symptom onset and neuroimaging. There were also issues with DMT compliance.

scholarly journals Agenesis of Isthmus of the Thyroid Gland in a Patient with Graves-Basedow Disease and a Solitary Nodule

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Omer Faruk Ozkan ◽  
Mehmet Asık ◽  
Huseyin Toman ◽  
Faruk Ozkul ◽  
Oztekin Cıkman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Anomaly ◽  
Thyroid Gland ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Congenital Anomalies ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Endocrine Gland ◽  
Solitary Nodule ◽  
Rare Congenital Anomaly ◽  
Wide Range

The thyroid is a vascular endocrine gland with two lateral lobes connected by a narrow, median isthmus. Although a wide range of congenital anomalies of the thyroid gland has been reported in the literature, agenesis of the thyroid isthmus is a very rare congenital anomaly. Thyroid isthmus agenesis does not manifest clinical symptoms, and it can be confused with other thyroid pathologies. We describe a patient with no isthmus of the thyroid, associated with Graves-Basedow disease. Thyroid isthmus agenesis should be kept in mind in order for surgical procedures involving thyroid pathologies to be carried out safely.

scholarly journals Knowledge, utilization and barriers of cervical cancer screening among women attending selected district hospitals in Kigali - Rwanda

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-274
Author(s):  
Gaudence Niyonsenga ◽  
Darius Gishoma ◽  
Ruth Sego ◽  
Marie Goretti Uwayezu ◽  
Bellancille Nikuze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Knowledge Utilization ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Screening Rate ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Screening Services

Background: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer attacking women globally, and the second in Eastern Africa where Rwanda is located. Regular screening is an effective prevention approach for cervical cancer. Despite that, the screening rate for cervical cancer in Africa is estimated between 10% and 70%, with a number of barriers. This is especially the case in sub-Saharan Africa. In Rwanda, there is limited literature on the rate of use of screening services or the barriers to cervical screening. Objective: To assess knowledge, utilization, and barriers of cervical cancer screening among women attending selected district hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with a structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Nominal ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions were used to gather data on knowledge and utilisation of cervical cancer and its screening. Likert-type scale questions were used to identify different barriers to screening services. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Respondents were selected by systematic random sampling from the database of women attending gynaecology services at three district hospitals in Kigali, Rwanda. Results: Three hundred and twenty-nine women responded to the survey. Half of the respondents (n = 165) had high knowledge level scores on cervical cancer screening. The cervical cancer screening rate was 28.3%. Utilization of screening was associated with knowledge (P = 0.000, r = -0.392) and selected demographic factors (P = 0.000). Individual barriers included poor knowledge on availability of screening services, community barriers included living in a rural area, and health provider and systems barriers included lack of awareness campaigns, negative attitudes of healthcare providers toward clients, and long waiting times; all barriers limit the access to screening services. Conclusion: A low rate of cervical cancer screening was identified for women attending selected district hospitals in Kigali-Rwanda due to various barriers. On-going education on cervical cancer and its screening is highly recommended. It is important that trained health providers encourage their clients to have cervical cancer screening and work to reduce related barriers.

scholarly journals Pancreatic Cysts after Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Guided Ethanol and/or Paclitaxel Ablation Therapy: Another Mimic of Pancreatic Pseudocysts

Pathobiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Soyeon An ◽  
You-Na Sung ◽  
Sung Joo Kim ◽  
Dong-Wan Seo ◽  
Sun-Young Jun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Resection ◽  
Cystic Tumor ◽  
Pancreatic Pseudocysts ◽  
Pancreatic Cysts ◽  
Clinical Impression ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Ablation Therapy ◽  
Cystic Tumors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Egg Shell

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Endoscopic ultrasound-guided ablation (EUS-A) therapy is a minimally invasive procedure for pancreatic-cystic tumors in patients with preoperative comorbidities or in patients who are not indicated for surgical resection. However, histopathologic characteristics of pancreatic cysts after ablation have not been well-elucidated. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Here, we analyzed pathological findings of 12 surgically resected pancreatic cysts after EUS-A with ethanol and/or paclitaxel injection. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Mean patient age was 49.8 ± 13.6 years with a 0.3 male/female ratio. Clinical impression before EUS-A was predominantly mucinous cystic neoplasms. Mean cyst size before and after ablation therapy was similar (3.7 ± 1.0 cm vs. 3.4 ± 1.6 cm; <i>p</i> = 0.139). Median duration from EUS-A to surgical resection was 18 (range, 1–59) months. Mean percentage of the residual neoplastic lining epithelial cells were 23.1 ± 37.0%. Of the resected cysts, 8 cases (67%) showed no/minimal (&#x3c;5%) residual lining epithelia, while the remaining 4 cases (33%) showed a wide range of residual mucinous epithelia (20–90%). Ovarian-type stroma was noted in 5 cases (42%). Other histologic features included histiocytic aggregation (67%), stromal hyalinization (67%), diffuse egg shell-like calcification along the cystic wall (58%), and fat necrosis (8%). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Above all, diffuse egg shell-like calcification along the pancreatic cystic walls with residual lining epithelia and/or ovarian-type stroma were characteristics of pancreatic cysts after EUS-A. Therefore, understanding these histologic features will be helpful for precise pathological diagnosis of pancreatic cystic tumor after EUS-A, even without knowing the patient’s history of EUS-A.

scholarly journals Histopathological Spectrum of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Biopsies in a Tertiary care centre

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. A158-163
Author(s):  
Anjana M.L ◽  
Kavitha Yevoor
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Gi Endoscopy ◽  
Upper Gi ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Neoplastic Lesions ◽  
Upper Gi Endoscopy ◽  
H Pylori ◽  
Duodenal Biopsies

Background: Upper GI endoscopy is an established procedure for investigating a wide range of upper GI conditions especially inflammatory and malignant diseases of stomach and esophagus. A good correlation in diagnosis can be achieved by complementing endoscopic findings with histopathology of biopsy specimens. Methods: Both retrospective and prospective study of upper GI endoscopic biopsy was carried out at department of pathology, KIMS, Hubli during January 2016 to December 2018. Samples were received in 10% formalin; routine processing was followed with H & E staining. Special stain like Giemsa was done for detection of H. Pylori. 396 endoscopic mucosal biopsies were analyzed and evaluated. Result: Out of 396 cases, 250 cases were esophageal biopsies, 104 cases were gastric biopsies & 42 cases were duodenal biopsies. The male: female ratio was 1:9:1. The highest number of cases was seen between 61 to 70 years. Dyspepsia was the common symptom seen in 61.3%. The most common lesions encountered in the esophagus were carcinomas (67%) followed by esophagitis (16%). The commonly encountered gastric lesion was chronic gastritis in 54.8% with H. pylori gastritis being positive in 38.18%. Among the duodenal biopsies, non-neoplastic lesions were most common (59.5%) followed by neoplastic lesions (26%). Conclusion: Upper GI endoscopy is an effective and appropriate preliminary investigation to assess patients with dysphagia, dyspepsia, vomiting. Endoscopy without biopsy is incomplete and that the combination of methods offers a strong diagnostic tool for better patient care.

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