Provision of an emergency theatre in tertiary hospitals is cost-effective: Audit and cost of cancelled planned elective general surgical operations at Pietersburg Hospital, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Cancellations of planned elective surgical operations increase financial cost to the patient and the hospital.

Objectives: To determine the rate and reasons for cancellations, estimate the cost incurred by such cancellations and recommend possible solutions.

Methods: We did a prospective descriptive study of cancellations of elective general surgical operations over the 1-year period January - December 2014 in the main theatre at Pietersburg (PTB) Hospital, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Nodular thyroid disease and thyroid malignancy: Experience at Polokwane Mankweng Hospital Complex, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Nodular thyroid disease is common throughout the world. Numbers of patients with goitre are increasing worldwide, as also noted in Limpopo Province, South Africa (SA). Globally, thyroid nodules have been reported in 4-7% of the population on neck palpation and in 30-50% by ultrasonography.

Impact of 20-day strike in Polokwane Hospital (18 August - 6 September 2010).

Background: Doctors' strikes have a negative effect on hospital performance indicators. Hospital mortality during such strikes is the most important indicator.

Objective: To determine the effects of the 2010 strike on Polokwane Hospital.