We aimed to assess the psychosocial impact from postoperative complications on the surgical workforce and the coping mechanisms they use following these complications in Uganda and Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This was a cross-sectional multi-center study conducted from first February 2022 to 31st March 2022 in the preselected main teaching hospitals of Uganda and Eastern DRC. We surveyed the surgical workforce (practicing surgeons, Obstetrician-Gynecologists, and residents in surgery/ Obstetrics-Gynecology) who had experienced postoperative complications in their career. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23. One hundred ninety-eight participants responded to the…

Background Expansive intracranial hematomas (EIH) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) continue to be a public health problem in Uganda. Data is limited regarding the neurosurgical outcomes of TBI patients. This study investigated the neurosurgical outcomes and associated risk factors of EIH among TBI patients at Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH).Methods A total of 324 subjects were enrolled using a prospective cohort study. Socio-demographic, risk factors and complications were collected using a study questionnaire. Study participants were followed up for 180 days. Univariate, multivariable, Cox regression analyses, Kaplan Meir survival curves, and log rank tests were…

BACKGROUND: Awake craniotomy (AC) is a common neurosurgical procedure for the resection of lesions in eloquent brain areas, which has the advantage of avoiding general anesthesia to reduce associated complications and costs. A significant resource limitation in low-and middle-income countries constrains the usage of AC.OBJECTIVE: To review the published literature on AC in African countries, identify challenges, and propose pragmatic solutions by practicing neurosurgeons in Africa. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review under Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-AnalysisScoping Review guidelines across 3 databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). English…

Introduction: If we are to break new ground in difficult-to-treat or difficult-to-vaccinate diseases (such as HIV, malaria, or tuberculosis), we must have a better understanding of the immune system at the site of infection in humans. For tuberculosis (TB), the initial site of infection is the lungs, but obtaining lung tissues from subjects suffering from TB has been limited to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or sputum sampling, or surgical resection of diseased lung tissue.Methods: We examined the feasibility of undertaking a postmortem study for human tuberculosis research at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.Results: Postmortem studies give us an opportunity to compare…

The agenesis of any segment of the lower spinal column referred to as "caudal regression syndrome" (CRS) is a rare congenital defect of the spine. This malformation is characterized by the absence of some or the entire lumbosacral vertebral segment. Etiological factors remain unknown. We report an atypical caudal regression syndrome with lumbar agenesis, disconnected from the remaining hypoplastic sacrum, in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).An 11-month-old female infant with no particular fetal or maternal history presented limb weakness with flexed knees and flanges in the popliteal fossae, sphincter atony, and a sensation of emptiness on palpation in…

Few studies have documented the occurrences of melanomas in the cervical spine. one percent of all malignant melanoma cases are primary melanoma of the central nervous system, which is extremely uncommon and nonspecific. We aimed to report a case of uncommon presentation of primary melanoma in the cervical spine. This a 59-year-old, male who presented with a 2-year history of anterior neck swelling, severe pain and tingling sensation in the left shoulder and arm which worsened in the previous 6 months. He developed weakness and paresthesia in the left upper arm and progressive gait disturbance of the left lower limb. Physical examination revealed masses in the left cervical and right…

Background: The challenge in the diagnosis of giant ovarian cysts (GOC) is a delicate situation for low and middle-income countries where the resources are very limited. GOC have become rare nowadays as they are diagnosed and managed early due to the availability of good imaging modalities. The purpose of this case report is to show how a huge cystic ovarian mass can mislead the diagnosis of multiple pregnancies, ascites, and intestinal tuberculosis in a woman during reproductive age in low-resource countries. The factors associated with the late presentation of giant ovarian cysts in sub-Saharan Africa is also discussed. Case presentation: The authors present the case of a 36-year-old…

Study Design: Prospective case series. Objective: SSPSS (single step pedicle screw system) was developed for minimally invasive spine surgery. We performed this study to report on safety, workflow, and our initial clinical experience with this novel technique. Methods: The prospective study was conducted on patients who underwent pedicle screw fixation between October 2017 and April 2018 using a novel single step 3D navigated pedicle screw system for MIS. Outcome measurements were obtained from intraoperative computerized tomography. The images were evaluated to determine pedicle wall penetration. We used a grading system to assess the severity of the pedicle wall penetration. Breaches…

Background: Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is an emerging therapy that is being pioneered as a potential treatment for keloids and hypertrophic scars. Up to this point, there isn t a cure for keloids and hypertrophic scars yet they comprise the commonest benign skin disorders. Despite published studies reporting potential therapeutic benefits of SVF, their use and efficacy on scar improvement are not clearly described. The aim of this review is to describe the clinical practice involved in harvesting, processing, utilization of SVF, and associated efficacy in scar treatment. Methods: We shall include published clinical articles evaluating the efficacy of SVF…

SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients.Since surgical patients are already at higher risk of venous thromboembolism than general populations, thisstudy aimed to determine if patients with peri-operative or prior SARS-CoV-2 were at further increased risk ofvenous thromboembolism. We conducted a planned sub-study and analysis from an international, multicentre,prospective cohort study of elective and emergency patients undergoing surgery during October 2020.Patients from all surgical specialties were included. The primary outcome measure was venousthromboembolism (pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis) within 30 days…