RESUMO
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 questionnaire. Worry about patient and reputation were the commonest psychological impacts in 54.0% and 45.5% of the participants respectively. Majority of the participants (55.1%) used positive coping mechanisms with a positive impact on their practice (94.4%). Being a female doctor (AOR = 2.637, CI 1.065-6.533, P = 0.036), worrying about reputation (AOR = 3.057, CI = 1.573-5.939, P = 0.001) and guilt after a complication (AOR = 4.417, CI = 2.253-8.659, P = <0.001) were predictors of a negative coping mechanism. Postoperative surgical complications continue to cause a huge psychological impact on the operating doctors in Uganda and the Eastern DRC. Female doctors, those that worry about the reputation and those that feel guilty following a complication should be given more support and guidance by peers when surgical complications occur to their patients.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Lumbar hernias are rare, with only 200-300 published cases listed in the literature. Two areas are described to have weakness points: the inferior lumbar triangle (Jean-Louis Petit triangle) and the superior lumbar triangle (Grynfeltt-Lesshaft triangle). Clinical diagnosis is confirmed by computed tomography and possibly by ultrasound or radiography. The surgeon must refine the clinical detection of this condition, as most patients do not have sufficient means to have a computed tomography scan performed, which remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Despite the different techniques recommended, the open route remains the most affordable in our environment. CASE PRESENTATION: This case presents an 84-year-old black congolese patient consulted for bilateral swellings of the lumbar regions. The patient was married and in the farming profession for several years. The patient had no notion of trauma or fever and no notion of vomiting or stopping of materials and gases. The lumbar region presented with swellings that were ovoid, soft, painless, impulsive and expansive on coughing or hyperpressure, and non-pulsatile, measuring 9 × 7 cm in diameter (right) and 6 × 5 cm in diameter (left). Ultrasound performed of the upper costolumbal region revealed two lipomatous masses facing Grynfeltt's quadrilateral with a 1.5 cm hole on either side. The diagnosis of bilateral Grynfeltt hernia was made, and herniorrhaphy was indicated. CONCLUSION: Grynfeltt-Lesshaft hernia is a rare surgical condition caused by congenital or acquired etiology. A lower back pain or a pain point localized on the hernia in addition to a lumbar mass that reduces when lying down suggests the diagnosis of lumbar hernia.