Spontaneous closure of an extensive postdebridement perineal wound in a newly diagnosed diabetic patient presenting with necrotizing fasciitis.

Diabetes mellitus may present for the first time with necrotizing fasciitis. Early treatment of septic shock and immediate surgical debridement reduces mortality. A diverting loop colostomy prevents soiling of extensive postdebridement wound. Local wound care together with good glycemic and infection control leads to spontaneous wound closure.

A rare presentation of penile keloids after traditional circumcision: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Only few cases of penile keloids have been reported in the literature. There have been no published reports on penile keloids following traditional circumcision in Africa. CASE REPORT: We present a case of a 13-year-old boy with penile keloids following traditional circumcision. The patient was successfully treated with complete excision of the keloid followed by a course of adjuvant treatment with corticosteroid injection. DISCUSSION: Penile keloids are a rare complication despite penile surgery being common. Male circumcision is a standard operation performed worldwide for medical, religious as well as cultural reasons. Traditional circumcision continues to be practised in many African countries. Keloids are a benign hyperproliferative growth of scar tissue that can complicate wound healing. Successful treatment is classically multimodal. CONCLUSION: This case highlights one of the more serious complications of circumcision. Although penile keloids are rare, the techniques involved in traditional circumcision potentially predispose to keloid formation in a genetically prone population.

Superior vena cava obstruction post laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A case report.

Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion of superior vena cava obstruction in a patient presenting with painful lateral neck and ipsilateral chest swelling post laparoscopic procedures. High doses of Clexane can be used as a substitute for thrombolytic therapy where it is contraindicated.

Successful nonoperative management of high output enterocutaneous fistulae in high surgical risk HIV-positive patients: Two case reports and literature review.

Management of enterocutaneous fistulae is challenging, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach. In high output fistulae, surgery is advocated after control of sepsis, adequate fluid and electrolyte repletion, and nutritional support. Surgery may, however, be contraindicated in the presence of sepsis and malnutrition. The presence of HIV infection brings extra challenges.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in asymptomatic patients at surgical outpatient department: Harare hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection is present in more than 50% of the world's population. The estimated life time risk of peptic ulcer disease is 20 percent and of gastric cancer is 1-2 percent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was done at two Central hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe, with the objective being to estimate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic individuals. Other objectives were to determine the association of the Helicobacter pylori infection with potential risk factors.Four hundred and fifty patients visiting the outpatient surgical clinics for other complaints other than upper gastrointestinal symptoms were recruited in the study. Drops of whole blood were obtained by fingertip puncture from each patient. The Onsite H. pylori Combo Rapid Test was used to confirm the presence or absence of antibodies against Helicobacter pylori. A questionnaire was used to record the sociodemographics of the participants. RESULTS: Three hundred patients, 186 males (62%) and 114 females (38%) participated. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 67.7 percent (203/300). The prevalence of H pylori infection was significantly correlated with increasing age (p = 0.012), sharing of a bed with siblings during childhood (p = 0.013) and the mode of sanitation methods (p = 0.023). There was no association found between H pylori infection and other risk factors such as; gender, level of education, employment status or number of rooms in a house. CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection prevalence was significantly associated with increasing age, sharing of a bed with siblings during childhood and the mode of sanitation used. Clinicians and the public have to be aware of the important role of H pylori in upper gastrointestinal disease. Use of better sanitation methods, appropriate hygiene, avoidance of over-crowding amongst other measures should be encouraged as a means to reduce the acquisition and transmission of H pylori.

Diagnostic and surgical challenges of a giant pheochromocytoma in a resource limited setting-A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Pheochromocytomas are catecholamine producing tumours which arise from chromaffin cells within the adrenal medulla. Patients with these tumours commonly present with a triad of headache, palpitations and hypertension. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 37-year-old male patient who presented with dull left sided abdominal pain and discomfort for 6 weeks. A preoperative Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a huge left suprarenal tumour but urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) were negative. The patient underwent an open surgical resection via an extraperitoneal approach without untoward intraoperative and postoperative events. Histopathological evaluation of the specimen showed a pheochromocytoma with a PASS score of 9. The successful management of the patient highlights the good results of team work despite the limitations of preoperative diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Giant pheochromocytomas by definition are tumours more than 7 cm in size and are rare. They rarely secrete catecholamines and commonly present with vague abdominal symptoms. A computerized tomogram helps suggest the diagnosis whilst the biochemical workup for pheochromocytoma may be diagnostic. If the tumours are biochemically active, preoperative alpha-blockade is necessary and care must be taken at operation in handling the tumour. The surgical and anaesthetic team must be prepared to manage hypertensive crisis should it occur. CONCLUSION: This case brings to the attention of clinicians the need to have a high index of suspicion of a giant pheochromocytoma in a patient presenting with vague abdominal symptoms whose CT scan shows a large retroperitoneal tumour, even in the absence of clinical symptoms and negative or absent biochemical workup.

A rare occurrence of viability of both small and large bowel in ileosigmoid knotting: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Ileosigmoid knot is an uncommon cause of acute intestinal obstruction where the ileum wraps around the base of a redundant sigmoid colon. CASE PRESENTATION: We present an unusual case of a 45-year-old male patient who presented with signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy revealed an ileosigmoid knot. Both the small and large bowels were viable. The sigmoid colon was resected an end to end anastomosis was done. His post-operative period was uneventful. DISCUSSION: Preoperative diagnosis of the condition is difficult. Diagnostic delays coupled with the infrequent occurrence of the condition often results in patients commonly presenting with gangrene of the ileum, sigmoid loop or both. There is considerable controversy regarding the optimal management of this rare condition. Management involves preoperative resuscitation, empirical antibiotics and prompt relief of the obstruction. The anatomical and pathological changes of the involved loops of bowel dictate the definitive surgical procedure. The vast majority of cases present with gangrenous loops of ileum, the sigmoid colon or both. To identify the presence of the ileum and sigmoid colon being viable on exploration is a rarity. CONCLUSION: The management of a patient who has both viable loops of bowel on exploration is a contentious issue. Traditional teaching dictates that untying of the knot should be coupled with resection of the sigmoid colon to negate the risk of a recurrence. Some case reports suggest that resection may not be necessary as the risk of recurrence is believed to be low.

Combined pancreatic and duodenal transection injury: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Combined pancreatic-duodenal injuries in blunt abdominal trauma are rare. These injuries are associated with high morbidity and mortality, and their emergent management is a challenge. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of combined complete pancreatic (through the neck) and duodenal (first part) transections in a 24-year-old male secondary to blunt abdominal trauma following a motor vehicle crash. The duodenal stumps were closed separately and a gastrojejunostomy performed for intestinal continuity. The transacted head of pancreas main duct was suture ligated and parenchyma was over sewn and buttressed with omentum. The edge of the body and tail pancreatic segment was freshened and an end to side pancreatico-jejunostomy was fashioned. A drain was left in situ. Post operatively the patient developed a pancreatic fistula which resolved with conservative management. After ten months of follow up the patient was well and showed no signs and symptoms of pancreatic insufficiency. DISCUSSION: Lengthy, complex procedures in pancreatic injuries have been associated with poor outcomes. Distal pancreatectomy or Whipple's procedure for trauma are viable options for complete pancreatic transections. But when there is concern that the residual proximal pancreatic tissue is inadequate to provide endocrine or exocrine function, preservation of the pancreatic tissue distal to the injury becomes an option. CONCLUSION: Combined pancreatic and duodenal injuries are rare and often fatal. Early identification, resuscitation and surgical intervention is warranted. Because of the large number of possible combinations of injuries to the pancreas and duodenum, no one form of therapy is appropriate for all patients.

Peritoneal encapsulation syndrome: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal encapsulation is an infrequently described congenital anomaly that results in formation of an accessory peritoneal membrane. The case presented below is unique in that it illustrates one of the rare complications of this condition. It is important for clinicians to be aware of this condition and its complications in order to limit potential morbidity and mortality. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report on an eleven-year-old boy without prior abdominal symptoms who presented with an acute abdomen after an episode of intense physical exertion. At laparotomy, gangrenous small bowel loops were identified extruding from an opening in a peritoneal sac consistent with peritoneal encapsulation syndrome. All gangrenous bowel (mostly ileum) was resected. The sac was excised and a primary jejunum to ascending colon anastomosis was created. The patient did well post operatively and was subsequently discharged. DISCUSSION: Peritoneal encapsulation is an aberration of peritoneal development that is frequently confused with other visceral encapsulation syndromes of inflammatory origin. Due to its mostly asymptomatic course, its true incidence remains unknown. An appreciation of the condition and its potential complications allows surgeons to take appropriate action in the event of incidental discovery at laparoscopy or laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal encapsulation is a rare, mostly asymptomatic, surgical finding which may predispose patients to an acute abdominal crisis.

Ileosigmoid knotting in early pregnancy: A case report.

Ileosigmoid knotting refers to the wrapping of the ileum around the base of the sigmoid colon, or vice versa thus forming a knot. It is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, more so in pregnancy. We herein report a case of a primigravid woman who presented with an acute abdomen at 13weeks of gestation. The patient underwent emergency surgery. Laparotomy showed ileosigmoid knotting with gangrenous loops of both small bowel and sigmoid colon. The gangrenous bowel was resected. Primary anastomosis of small bowel and a Hartman's procedure was performed.