Surgery Commons^™

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Computed Tomography In Adults With Suspected Acute Appendicitis At The Emergency Department In A Private Tertiary Hospital In Tanzania, Nyamuryekun'ge Miten, Miten Wr Patel, Ahmed Jusabani, Ali Akbar Zehri, Athar Ali

General Surgery, East Africa

Introduction: The increasing incidence of acute appendicitis in sub-Saharan Africa emphasizes the need for accurate and reliable diagnostic tools. However, the variability in the diagnostic performance of computed tomography for suspected acute appendicitis coupled with comparatively higher negative appendectomy rates in this setting highlight a possible concern regarding the diagnostic accuracy. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a computed tomography scan for suspected acute appendicitis at the emergency department in Tanzania.

Methods: A retrospective diagnostic accuracy study was conducted from July to October 2020. All patients above 14 years of age who presented at the emergency department with …

Authorship Equity And Gender Representation In Global Oncology Publications, Paula Hornstein, Hubert Tuyishime, Miriam Mutebi, Nwamaka Lasebikan, Fidel Rubagumya, Temidayo Fadelu

General Surgery, East Africa

Purpose: Authorship gender disparities persist across academic disciplines, including oncology. However, little is known about global variation in authorship gender distribution.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study describes the distribution of author gender as determined from the first name across variables such as authorship position (first, middle, and last), country region, and country income level. The 608 articles with 5,302 authors included in this analysis were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology Global Oncology, from its inception in October 2015 through March 2020. Primary outcome measure was author gender on the basis of first name probabilities assessed by …

Extra-Articular Arthroscopic Release Of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Prospective Study, Njalalle Baraza, Mark P. Robinson, Nanda Kumar Sakaleshpura Chandrashekar, Jessica A. Perry, William D. Regan

General Surgery, East Africa

Background: Operative management of lateral epicondylitis can be managed with percutaneous, arthroscopic, or open surgical release. Extraarticular arthroscopic release is a new technique, and no study has compared its outcomes and risk profile.

Methods: A 26-patient cohort was reviewed before and after extraarticular arthroscopic release, which was performed by the senior author. The Mayo Elbow Performance Scores were used as a functional outcome score and obtained via a phone interview. Results were analyzed using a paired t-test with a statistical significance set at P < .05.

Results: Of the 26 patients, 10 were being treated under workers compensation. Preoperative Mayo Elbow Performance …

Prevalence Of Os Acromiale In An Indigenous East African Population: A Computerized Tomography Scan-Based Study, Mordicai Atinga, Njalalle Baraza, Sarah Wambui, Wachira Joseph Thiong’O, Angela Atinga

General Surgery, East Africa

Background: Failure of fusion to any of the acromion physes at maturity may lead to an os acromiale. A radiological review into the prevalence of os acromiale in an indigenous East African population was performed using computer tomography (CT) imaging. The study aimed to demonstrate a lower prevalence of os acromiale in an urban population compared with cadaveric studies.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling. CT scans of both shoulders obtained for non-shoulder pathology were used for the analysis. CT scanning was performed at a tertiary referral hospital from January 2019 to July 2020.

Results …

Perceptions Of Surgeons On Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis Use At An Urban Tertiary Hospital In Tanzania, Elizabeth Mmari, Eunice Pallangyo, Authar Ali, Dereck A. Kaale, Isaac Mawalla, Muzdalfat Abeid

General Surgery, East Africa

Background: Surgical Site Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among operated patients. In spite of the accessibility of universal and national guidelines for surgical prophylaxis, recent studies surveying the present routine of prophylaxis have demonstrated overutilization of a wide range antibacterial medication for a single patient. Few studies have shown qualitatively factors influencing this and perceptions of surgeons on surgical antibiotic prophylaxis use. Unfortunately, none of these studies have been done in Tanzania.

Objective: To describe the perceptions of surgeons on surgical antibiotic prophylaxis use at an urban tertiary hospital.

Methods: A qualitative study …

Overview Of Antiretropulsion Devices For Prevention Of Inadvertent Stone Migration During Pneumatic Lithotripsy For Ureteric Stone, Ali Akbar Zehri, Miten Patel, Philip Adebayo, Authar Ali

General Surgery, East Africa

The purpose of the present chapter is to provide an update about the use of preventive devices used to stop retrograde stone migration during pneumatic lithotripsy for ureteric stone management. The aim to reduce the cost, ancillary procedure, reduce the operative time and improve the stone free rate. The hunt for ideal cadget to stop retrograde stone migration is still continue in 21 century.

3d - Printed Patient Specific Instrumentation In Corrective Osteotomy Of The Femur And Pelvis: A Review Of The Literature, Njalalle Baraza, Chris Chapman, Sima Zakani, Kishore Mulpuri

General Surgery, East Africa

Background: The paediatric patient population has considerable variation in anatomy. The use of Computed Tomography (CT)-based digital models to design three-dimensionally printed patient specific instrumentation (PSI) has recently been applied for correction of deformity in orthopedic surgery. This review sought to determine the existing application of this technology currently in use within paediatric orthopaedics, and assess the potential benefits that this may provide to patients and surgeons.

Methods: A review was performed of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for published literature, as well as Web of Science and clinicaltrials.gov for grey literature. The search strategy revolved around the research …

Inadvertent Stone Migration During Pneumatic Lithotripsy: Still A Conundrum In The 21st Century, Ali Akbar Zehri, Miten Patel, Philip Adebayo, Authar Ali

General Surgery, East Africa

Currently, an ideal gadget to stop retrograde stone migration remains a holy grail, and the hunt for such a device is still ongoing in the 21st century. The quest for an ideal instrument is driven by the need to reduce cost, minimize ancillary procedure rates, reduce the device's operative time, and improve the stone-free rate. The purpose of the present review is to provide an update on the use of preventive measures that are used to stop retrograde stone migration during pneumatic lithotripsy for ureteric stone management.

Inadvertent Stone Migration During Pneumatic Lithotripsy: Still A Conundrum In The 21st Century, Ali Akbar Zehri, Miten Patel, Philip Adebayo, Authar Ali

General Surgery, East Africa

Currently, an ideal gadget to stop retrograde stone migration remains a holy grail, and the hunt for such a device is still ongoing in the 21st century. The quest for an ideal instrument is driven by the need to reduce cost, minimize ancillary procedure rates, reduce the device's operative time, and improve the stone-free rate. The purpose of the present review is to provide an update on the use of preventive measures that are used to stop retrograde stone migration during pneumatic lithotripsy for ureteric stone management.

Currently, an ideal gadget to stop retrograde stone migration remains a holy grail, …

Negative Appendectomy Rate In Urban Referral Hospitals In Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Associated Factors, Nyamuryekung'e Klint Masawa, Authar Ali, Miten Ramesh Pate, Aidan Njau, Omar Sherman, Ahmed Jusabani, Ali Akbar Zehri

General Surgery, East Africa

Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) has a lifetime risk of 8.3% with a consequent 23% lifetime risk of emergency appendectomy. In atypical presentation, making a clinical diagnosis is difficult, leading to a high perforation rate (PR) or misdiagnoses and high negative appendectomy rates (NAR). This study aimed to establish NAR and explore the associated factors and possible attainable solutions to reduce it in urban referral hospitals in Tanzania.

Methods: This was a crosssectional study with 91 consecutive patients, aged 10 years and older undergoing appendectomy for suspected AA with histological evaluation of specimens. The study was powered to detect the NAR …

Negative Appendectomy Rate In Urban Referral Hospitals In Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Associated Factors, Masawa Klint Nyamuryekung’E, Ali Syed Muhammad Akhtar, Miten Ramesh Patel, Aidan Njau, Omar Sherman, Ahmed Jusabani, Ali Akbar Zehri

General Surgery, East Africa

Background: Acute appendicitis (AA) has a lifetime risk of 8.3% with a consequent 23% lifetime risk of emergency appendectomy. In atypical presentation, making a clinical diagnosis is difficult, leading to a high perforation rate (PR) or misdiagnoses and high negative appendectomy rates (NAR). This study aimed to establish NAR and explore the associated factors and possible attainable solutions to reduce it in urban referral hospitals in Tanzania.

Methods: This was a crosssectional study with 91 consecutive patients, aged 10 years and older undergoing appendectomy for suspected AA with histological evaluation of specimens. The study was powered to detect the NAR …

Innovative Use Of Mhealth And Clinical Technology For Oncology Clinical Trials In Africa, Miriam Mutebi, Rohini Bhatia, Omolola Salako, Fidel Rubagumya, Surbhi Grover, Nazik Hammad

General Surgery, East Africa

Utilization of clinical technology and mobile health (mHealth) is expanding globally. It is important to reflect on how their usage and application could translate in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. With the exponential growth and advancements of mobile and wireless technologies, LMICs are prime to adapt such technologies to potentially democratize and create solutions to health-related challenges. The role of these technologies in oncology clinical trials continues to expand. The lure of mHealth promises disruptive technology that may change the way clinical trials are designed and conducted in many settings. Its applicability in the African context is currently under …

Engaging Patients For Clinical Trials In Africa: Patient-Centered Approaches, Miriam Mutebi, Dicey Scroggins, Virgil Simons, Naomi Ohene Oti, Nazik Hammad

General Surgery, East Africa

Clinical trials in oncology are an emergent field in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a long history of clinical trials in high-income countries (HICs), with increasing attempts to develop patient-centric approaches and to evaluate patient-centered outcomes. The challenge remains as to how these trends could be adopted in low-resource settings and adapted to best fit the different health ecosystems that coexist on the African continent. Models that evaluate patient-related outcomes and measures and that are used in HICs must be modified, adopted, and adapted to suit the diverse populations and the low-resource settings in most of the continent. Patient engagement in …

Retroperitoneal Isolated Enteric Duplication Cyst, Fariha Fazal, Patricia Okiro

General Surgery, East Africa

Enteric duplication cysts are rare congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract with an estimated incidence of 1:100,000 live births. Fewer still are isolated enteric duplication cysts (IEDC). Accurate diagnosis and timely excision of IEDCs can help in avoiding possible complications including bleeding from gastric mucosa and malignant transformation later in life. Currently, in the paediatric population, there are twenty reported cases in the literature worldwide. Of these, only three have been described in the retro peritoneum. We present a retroperitoneal IEDC, which was juxtaposed to the inferior vena cava. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been reported …

Cyto-Histologic Discordancy In Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy At Aga Khan University Hospital, Moses Barasa, Abdulkarim Abdallah

General Surgery, East Africa

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) findings are the basis upon which decision and type surgery is made. Therefore the diagnostic accuracy and utility of FNAC being such an integral tool in management of thyroid lesions must be evaluated for cyto-histologic discrepancy from time to time as a quality assurance measure. The objective was to compare thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with final histopathological findings at in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. This was a cross-sectional retrospective study at Aga Khan university hospital, Nairobi. Cyto-histologic discrepancy was found in 19(25%) of cases with false positive and negative rates at 9% and 16%. False …

Establishing Cohorts To Generate The Evidence Base To Reduce The Burden Of Breast Cancer In Sub-Saharan Africa: Results From A Feasibility Study In Kenya, Sujha Subramanian, Robai Gakunga, Madeleine D. Jones, Asaph Kinyanjui, Emily' Ochieng, Nancy Gikaara, Florence Maluni, David Wata, Anne Korir, Miriam Mutebi, Zipporah Ali

General Surgery, East Africa

Purpose: By 2025, Kenya is estimated to experience a two-thirds increase in the incidence of breast cancer. Local research is necessary to generate evidence to inform policy, public health, and medical practice. There have been no longitudinal cohort studies in sub-Saharan Africa of women with and without breast cancer. Our aim is to assess the feasibility of conducting cohort studies in Kenya that consider clinical characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and self-care behaviors.

Methods: We initiated a short-term follow-up cohort study of women with and without a diagnosis of breast cancer with baseline face-to-face data collection and one follow-up interview …

Are Prophylactic Intravenous Antibiotics Required In Routine Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery? A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Njalalle Baraza, Jordan Leith

General Surgery, East Africa

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out from the literature the difference in infection rates between patients who did and patients who did not receive prophylactic antibiotics in arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of the literature using Medline Ovid for prospective studies that looked at infection as the primary outcome following shoulder arthroscopy. The articles were then assessed for study design, outcome, and relevance to the specific question as part of the critical appraisal.

Results: Eight partially relevant articles were obtained from the search, but there were no prospective studies comparing infection in …

Distal Humeral Fractures-Current Concepts, James C. Beazley, Njalalle Baraza, Robert Jordan, Chetan S. Modi

General Surgery, East Africa

Background: Distal humerus fractures constitute 2% of all fractures in the adult population. Although historically, these injuries have been treated non-operatively, advances in implant design and surgical technique have led to improved outcomes following operative fixation.

Methods: A literature search was performed and the authors' personal experiences are reported.

Results: This review has discussed the anatomy, classifications, treatment options and surgical techniques in relation to the management of distal humeral fractures. In addition, we have discussed controversial areas including the choice of surgical approach, plate orientation, transposition of the ulnar nerve and the role of elbow arthroplasty.

Conclusion: Distal humeral …

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Pathology And 2-Year Postsurgical Recurrence Of Breast Cancer In Kenyan Women, Nathan R. Brand, Ronald Wasike, Khalid Makhdomi, Rajendra Chauhan, Zahir Moloo, Samuel Gakinya, Alfred I. Neugut, Jo Anne Zujewski, Shahin Sayed

General Surgery, East Africa

Purpose: The goal of this study was to describe the pathologic findings and early follow-up experience of patients who underwent a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) between 2008 and 2017.

Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of women with breast cancer who underwent an SLNB at AKUH between 2008 and 2017. The SLNB was performed on patients with stage I and stage II breast cancer, and identification of the sentinel lymph node was made by radioactive tracer, blue dye, or both, per availability and surgeon preference. Demographic, surgical, and pathologic data, …

Surgical Margin Status After Breast Conservation Surgery At Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Ronald Wasike, B. Riogi

General Surgery, East Africa

The conservation of the breast in a woman after diagnosis of breast cancer plays a vital role in the overall management of the patient. While the cosmetic outcome enhances the patients’ self-image, assurance of clear margins is essential in prognostication. An analysis was carried out to assess the adequacy of surgical margins at our unit.

Methodology: Retrospective analysis of breast surgery for breast cancer patients was done from 2008 to 2011 at Aga Khan University Hospital.

Results: Twenty one patients with breast cancer had breast conservation surgery with an average age of 44.8 years. The commonest histological diagnosis (71.4%) was …

The Effectiveness Of An Abbreviated Training Program For Health Workers In Breast Cancer Awareness: Innovative Strategies For Resource Constrained Environments, Miriam Mutebi, Ronald Wasike, Ahmed Mushtaq, Aideed Kahie, Stephen Ntoburi

General Surgery, East Africa

Background: Breast cancer is characterized by late presentation and significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Breast screening aids in early detection of breast cancer. Nurses are uniquely placed to provide advocacy and screening in a resource limited environment.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of an abbreviated training program in breast cancer awareness on nurses at a tertiary hospital, in a resource constrained environment.

Methods: Using a statistical tool, the Solomon Model, 79 nurses were identified and divided into experimental and control groups. An abbreviated training intervention in breast cancer awareness was administered to the experimental group. Pre and post …

Addressing The Challenges Of Practicing Breast Cytology In A Tertiary Teaching Hospital In Kenya, Neeta Kumar, Shahin Sayed, Zahir Moloo, Rajendra Chauhan

General Surgery, East Africa

Objectives: To assess diagnostic accuracy of breast cytology through histological correlation and identify reasons for diagnostic pitfalls.

Methods: A total of 2700 cases were reported in cytology during the study period of 14 months, of which 1100 (40%) were from breast lesions. Only 96 (9%) cases had histological follow up in the form of core biopsy, lumpectomy and/or mastectomy. The cases in which cytology diagnosis did not match with histology diagnosis were reviewed by two pathologists and reasons for the diagnostic pitfalls in cytology were recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of cytology were …

Inguinal Hernia Repair At The Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi: Practice And Preference Discordance, Ronald Wasike, Abdulkarim Abdallah

General Surgery, East Africa

Objectives: To review the current hernia repair methods at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) and relate to the preferred method of choice for groin hernia repair among the practicing general surgeons.

Design: An audit from retrospective practices.

Setting: A tertiary referral hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.

Subjects: All elective adult hernia repairs performed at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi between 2004-5 by all surgeons with admitting privileges were reviewed. The methods of repair were noted. A questionnaire was also availed to the admitting surgeons to indicate their preferred method, and this was correlated with the audit results. …

An Unusual Abdominal Mass: Case Report, H. Saidi, U. Mohammed, M. Machoki

General Surgery, East Africa

The causes of intra-abdominal masses associated with chronic abdominal pain range from the benign to malignant; common to bizarre and some raise major medical legal issues. We present a case of a 40-year old African lady who presented with chronic right-sided abdominal pain with an associated mass on the right mid-abdomen. She had had a Caesarian section one year prior to presentation. Antecedent history of surgery and typical imaging features enabled a preoperative diagnosis of abdominal mass secondary to retained surgical gauze.The case illustrates the fallibility of the men and women in the operating theatres and the vital role of …

Biliary Tract Obstruction In Chronic Pancreatitis, Abdallah Abdulkarim, Jake E. J. Krige, Philippus C. Bornman

General Surgery, East Africa

Bile duct strictures are a common complication in patients with advanced chronic pancreatitis and have a variable clinical presentation ranging from an incidental finding to overt jaundice and cholangitis. The diagnosis is mostly made during investigations for abdominal pain but jaundice may be the initial clinical presentation. The jaundice is typically transient but may be recurrent with a small risk of secondary biliary cirrhosis in longstanding cases. The management of a bile duct stricture is conservative in patients in whom it is an incidental finding as the risk of secondary biliary cirrhosis is negligible.

Initial conservative treatment is advised in …

Reverse Sural Island Flap In Coverage Of Defects Lower Third Of Leg: A Series Of Nine Cases, S. O. Khainga, B. Githae, V. M. Mutiso, Ronald Wasike

General Surgery, East Africa

The distally based sural island flap was first described by Masquelet, et al, in 1992. It is a skin island flap supplied by the vascular axis of the sural nerve. lhe aim of this paper is to demonstrate that it can be applied in coverage of difficult wound in the lower third of the leg. We treated nine patients with nine distally based sural island flaps. All the flaps survived, most of the flaps had venous congestion. The largest flap was 10 x 8 em and Doppler was used in only one flap. This technique is easy and quick to …

Perforated Meckel's Diverticulitis Presenting As A Mesenteric Abscess: Case Report, Ronald Wasike, Hassan Saidi

General Surgery, East Africa

Only 2% of patients with Meckel’s diverticulae (MD) will manifest clinical problems. Diverticulitis occurs in approximately 10-20% of patients with symptomatic MD and more often in the elderly population. We report a case of Meckels diverticulitis presenting with perforation and mesenteric abscess in a young African man. The authors present information on diagnostic pitfalls and advise a lower threshold for consideration of MD as a differential diagnosis of acute right iliac fossa pain especially when the CT scan denotes a normal appendix in a male patient.

Laparoscopic Appendicectomy At The Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, S. C. Patel, G. F. Jumba, S. Akmal

General Surgery, East Africa

Objective: To evaluate our experience of laparoscopic appendicectomy at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi over a six year period from the inception of the technique and to assess its advantages and disadvantages.

Design: Case series study.

Setting: The Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi.

Patients: One hundred and six cases operated on from May 1996 to June 2002. Main outcome measures: Clinical presentation, age and sex demographics, average hospital stay, operating time, intra-operative and post-operative complications and outcome.

Results: There was a female preponderance with a female to male ratio of 2:3:I. Mean age was 30.6 years. There was a slightly more …

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy At The Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, S. C. Patel, J. R. Bhatt

General Surgery, East Africa

Objective: To evaluate our experience of laparoscopic cholecystectomies at the Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi over a three-year period from the inception of the technique, and to assess its value and advantages to the patients.

Design: A prospective case series study.

Setting: The Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi.

Patients: One hundred and thirty five cases operated from February 1996 to April 1999. All patients were subjected to the American method of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is described in detail in this paper.

Main outcome measures: Clinical presentation, age and sex demographics, average hospital stay, intraoperative and postoperative complications and outcome.

Results: There was …