Groin Hernia Surgery in Northern Ghana - Humanitarian Mission of Polish Surgeons in Tamale

• DOI: 10.1515/pjs-2015-0012
• Publication Date: 2015-05-05T11:36:50Z
• Authors: Kryspin Mitura; Sławomir Kozieł; MichaŁ Pasierbek
• Keywords: Groin

Availability of surgical care in Africa is severely limited. This due to the lack surgeons and a small number public hospitals. Only 25 out 100,000 patients with inguinal hernia undergo treatment. As many as 65% repairs are performed urgently because incarceration. Among incarceration who do not reach hospital there recorded 87 deaths per 100 cases. In order improve availability treatment Africa, humanitarian medical missions involving from Europe organized. During regular visits selected centers they also carry intensified training local staff. The aim study was present experience Polish mission Tamale northern Ghana undertaken fall 2014.Surgical repair (74 men - 85% 13 women 15%) between ages 26 70 years (mean 52.8 years; SD 10.3), underwent total 98 under anesthesia.Lichtenstein procedure 93 Desarda technique 5 patients. Patients reported long-term presence symptoms one 7 3.4 years, 1.4). most patients, occurred more than 3 earlier (61 patients; 70%). There were no intraoperative complications. All discharged next day after surgery. wound infection postoperative period which required mesh explantation.Inguinal commonly found major issue for inefficient health system. Humanitarian can help results, long carried periodically allow personnel. Scarce equipment facilities significant difficulty performing Lichtenstein anesthesia.