East and Central African Journal of Surgery

Teaching surgical skills in a resource-limited setting: Comparing massed versus distributed practice in an ultrasound-guided breast biopsy simulator

2019-01-01T15:21:07+00:00

Background: Teaching surgical skills in the simulation lab has increased markedly compared to teaching only in the operating room. Although many studies have been performed investigating the optimal teaching methodology for skills acquisition, there is no consensus on the best method. Massed and distributed practices are important methods in teaching procedural skills. Considering the limited human and logistical resources in low and middle-income settings, it is valuable to understand the optimal methodology for learning and acquiring surgical skills.

Methods: Thirty-two core needle biopsy-naïve first-year residents and final year medical students rotating in general surgery were enrolled in and completed the study at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, a tertiary, teaching and referral hospital in Kigali, Rwanda. They were assigned to a “massed” group (i.e., one time, 3-hour practice) or “distributed” group (i.e., 1-hour practice per week for 3 weeks). Trainees were taught ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy on a high-fidelity breast simulator. All participants completed pre- and post-tests and an evaluation of skill retention was performed one month after completion of the training. Analysis of performance was completed, and p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: There was no difference between performance on the pretest (p=0.985) and the posttest (p=0.680). Both groups demonstrated improvement after implementation of the simulation training when comparing pretest and posttest results (p<0.001); there were no differences in the evaluation of skills retention after one month after the training between the two groups (p=0.273).

Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that both groups have improved significantly their knowledge and skills. Trainees have similar retention of skills in ultrasound guided core needle biopsy on a breast simulator whether trained under a massed or distributed practice schedule. Both methods may be considered in our setting for teaching surgical skills.

Keywords: surgical simulation; resource-limited setting; global surgery

Pattern of sub-clinical dysthyroidism in a postthyroidectomy cohort: Implications for supplementary treatment

2019-01-01T00:45:00+00:00

Background: Defective thyroid functioning is referred to as dysthyroidism. Despite incomplete thyroidectomy or thyroxine supplementation, post-thyroidectomy patients may still experience dysthyroidism. Many times, this may be sub - clinical. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and pattern of sub-clinical dysthyroidism following thyroid surgery.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 40 patients were consecutively recruited following conventional thyroidectomy and followed up to 12months. All patients were euthyroid at surgery. At 12 months serum TSH, T4 and T3 levels were measured and the patients clinically assessed. The prevalence and pattern of dysthyroidism was analysed statistically against the patient demographics, clinical and peri-operative variables for significance, using stata version 13. The confidence interval was at 95% and the statistical significance at a p-value of <0.05.

Results: The mean age was 44.3 years (M:F= 1: 12.3). 20% of the patients had medical comorbidities. The types of surgery performed were sub-total thyroidectomy (55%), near total thyroidectomy (25%) and total thyroidectomy (20%). The prevalence of postoperative dysthyroidism was 52.5%. 22.7% of patients who underwent sub-total thyroidectomy had dysthyroidism. Most patients (90%) who were on thyroxine supplement (following total or near total thyroidectomy) still developed dysthyroidism (P= 0.017). The type of resection done had the greatest significance (P= 0.000). Other factors associated with dysthyroidism albeit non-significantly were history of pre-operative hyperthyroidism, middle age (40 - 60 years), and female gender.

Conclusions: The prevalence of dysthyroidism in this cohort was high which may reflect the broader picture among post - thyroidectomy patients in this setting. Regular biochemical testing in post-thyroidectomy patients is important to identify and correct dysthyroidism early. This requires frequent follow-up and accurate dose adjustment, based on objective assessments like weight or body mass index.

Keywords: post-thyroidectomy; dysthyroidism; hypothyroidism; hyperthyroidism; sub-clinical dysthyroidism; prospective; cohort

Diagnostic accuracy of the Tzanakis score for acute appendicitis in a resource-limited setting: A tertiary hospital-based survey

2019-01-01T00:45:01+00:00

Background: The management of acute appendicitis remains challenging with high peri-operative morbidity and mortality due diagnostic delay or high negative appendicetomy rates due to aggressive surgical approaches. CT scan is accurate for pre-operative diagnosis but not available or affordable in all settings. There remains a need for an affordable yet accurate tool for diagnosing acute appendicitis in the resource limited setting.

Methods: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Tzanakis score in the preoperative evaluation of patients with acute appendicitis, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Eligible consenting patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis consecutively underwent Tzanakis scoring and appendicectomy. Appencieal samples were sent for histological examination. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy of the Tzanakis scoring system were calculated, relative to histological examination.

Results: We enrolled 160 participants of mean age 30.4 years with male:female ratio of 2:1. The Tzanakis score had sensitivity of100% (95% CI 98-100), positive predictive value 97 % (95% CI 95-99), specificity of 64% (95% CI 31-89), negative predictive value of 100%, and overall diagnostic accuracy of 98% with 3% negative appendectomy rate.

Conclusions: The Tzanakis score is found to be a sensitive and specific tool that should be considered for preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis in resource limited settings.

Keywords: appendicitis; appendicectomy; acute abdomen; diagnosis; Tzanakis score; Uganda

Prevalence of acute deep vein thrombosis according to HIV status following major orthopaedic surgery at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

2019-01-04T19:40:25+00:00

Background: Hypercoagulable states and immobilization following lower limb, pelvic, and spinal surgery increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It is also suggested that HIV alone increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis. However no study has been done to determine the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in HIV seropositive individuals who have undergone lower limb orthopaedic surgery in the Zambian context. We therefore conducted this study to determine the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in patients who are HIV seropositive in comparison to those who are HIV seronegative after undergoing lower limb orthopaedic surgery.

Methods: A total of 42 Patients were enrolled. Of these 23 (54 %) were HIV negative controls and 19 (46 %) were HIV positive patients who underwent lower limb surgery or spinal surgery. Demographic and HIV status data was collected prior to surgery. After surgery a blood sample was tested for fibrinogen degradation products (D-dimer) levels. The patients were then monitored for the development of clinical DVT and those that developed clinical DVT had an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.

Results: The majority (81%) of the study population were under the age of 50 years. The mean values of D-dimers were 2.33 ± 1.65 μg/ml for the HIV negative group and 2.55 ±1.50 μg/ml for the HIV positive group. The number of positive D-dimer results was similar in the two groups, 94.7% for the HIV cohort and 95.7% in the negative group (X 2 0.19 p=0.89). There was a positive correlation between the D-dimer value and the type of surgery done in both the HIV positive group (R 0.390 p = 0.049) and the HIV negative group (R 0.398 at p = 0.03). In both group’s hip and knee surgeries gave higher values of D-dimers. There was no statistical difference in the occurrence of a positive D-dimer and CD4 count (X2 0.95 p=0.89). The combined prevalence of clinical DVT confirmed by compression ultrasonography in the entire study population was 4.8%. The prevalence in the HIV seropositive group and HIV seronegative groups were 5.3% and 4.3% respectively (X2 0.19 p= 0.89). None of the patients received preoperative DVT prophylaxis due to cost but both patients that developed DVT received antithrombotic treatment.

Conclusions: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of DVT between patients who were HIV seronegative and seronegative following major lower limb and spinal orthopaedic surgery. Both groups had raised D-dimer values.

Keywords: deep vein thrombosis; HIV; D-dimer; Doppler ultrasound

Treatment outcomes of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia at Beit Cure International Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi

2019-01-01T00:45:03+00:00

Background: Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is a rare condition. The natural history of CPT includes persistent instability and progressive deformity. Several CPT treatment methods have been practiced, however, in Africa where there is scarce information on the modalities of treatment available and their outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study which was conducted among patients with CPT at Beit Cure International Hospital (BCIH), Malawi. Forty-four patients were recruited in this study and their treatment modalities and outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Out of 44 patients recruited in this study, majority (63.6%) were male. The majority of cases were stage 4 congenital tibia pseudarthrosis by Crawford classification. Most patients were treated by more than one surgical modality; however, surgical excision and intramedullary rodding was commonly used (54.7%). The outcomes of treatment were good in 5%, fair in 30%, with amputation in 45% and poor outcomes in 20% of the patients. Complications developed in 60% of patients, predominated by limb length discrepancy. The foot and ankle status were rated by Oxford Foot and Ankle scoring system (OxFAQ).

Conclusions: Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia is a complex congenital disorder with multiple modalities of treatment. Majority of the patients were treated by more than one operation. Some patients ended up with amputation or poor outcome. Limb length discrepancy, deep infection and pin tract infection are among the common complications.

Keywords: congenital pseudarthrosis; tibia; treatment outcomes; Malawi

Mature teratoma with aspergilloma

2019-01-01T00:45:04+00:00

Mediastinal mature teratomas are benign germ cell tumors which rarely involve the lung, but when they involve the lung they can cavitate. Aspergilloma developing in a mature teratoma is extremely rare, and according to our English literature search, there is only one previously reported case. We report a 21-year-old female who presented with cough and foul-smelling sputum. investigations revealed an intrathoracic mass, which intraoperatively and upon subsequent histological exam was found to be a mature mediastinal teratoma involving the lung and associated with an aspergilloma. Reporting our case will add to the understanding of this rare presentation of mediastinal mature teratomas.

Keywords: mature teratoma; aspergilloma; surgical treatment

Septic arthritis of the hip with intraperitoneal dislocation of the femoral head

2019-01-01T00:45:05+00:00

Septic arthritis is a potentially crippling infection of the joint cavity. Malnutrition in the setting of poor socioeconomic background is a known predisposing and propagating factor of septic arthritis. Prolonged untreated septic arthritis of the hip joint can be a rare cause of acute abdomen, this is due to the proximity of the hip joint to the pelvis causing the spread of the causative organisms into the peritoneal cavity.

We present a case of septic arthritis of the hip joint presenting as acute abdomen with intra-peritoneal dislocation of the head of the femur, and reviewed relevant literature.

Keywords: acute abdomen; septic arthritis; peritonitis; fracture dislocation

Abstracts of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) 19th Annual General Meeting and International Scientific Conference

2021-05-09T02:57:33+00:00

Conference Abstracts