Hernioplasty using low-cost mesh compared to surgical mesh in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol.

Objective: This review aims to assess the differences in surgical outcomes between hernioplasty using low-cost mesh and surgical mesh in adults undergoing elective hernioplasty in low- and middle-income countries.

Introduction: The use of untreated mosquito netting in inguinal hernioplasty in low- and middle-income countries has been well described in the literature, with two recent limited systematic reviews finding equivalent postoperative surgical outcomes. This comprehensive review, across a wider set of databases and gray literature, will assess a broader set of outcomes including patient and surgeon preference and sterility, report more granular complication outcomes, and include other low-cost mesh alternatives such as resterilized surgical mesh and indigenous products, alongside mosquito net mesh.

Broad-Ranging Nutritional Deficiencies Predict Amputation in Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers present across the spectrum of nonhealing wounds, be it acute or many months duration. There is developing literature highlighting that despite this group having high caloric intake, they often lack the micronutrients essential for wound healing. This study reports a retrospective cohort of patients' micro- and macro-nutritional state and its relationship to amputation.

Surgical Procedures Performed by Emergency Medical Teams in Sudden-Onset Disasters: A Systematic Review.

Background: Emergency medical teams (EMTs) frequently provide surgical care after sudden-onset disasters (SODs) in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this review is to describe the types of surgical procedures performed by EMTs with general surgical capability in order to aid the recruitment and training of surgeons for these teams.

Methods: A search of electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE) was carried out to identify articles published between 1990 and 2018 that describe the type of surgical procedures performed by EMTs in the impact and post-impact phases of a SOD.

The role of bile leak testing in liver resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Bile leak following liver resection can be associated with significant morbidity. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effect of intraoperative bile leak testing on postoperative bile leak rate and other complications after liver resection without biliary reconstruction for any cause.

Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and grey literature databases were searched for articles between 1960 and 2017 comparing bile leak rates with or without bile leak testing.

Age determination in refugee children: A narrative history tool for use in holistic age assessment.

Aim: To present the rationale for using a narrative history tool as part of a holistic age assessment of accompanied refugee children with age uncertainty by exploring cultural narratives of age.

Methods: Seven small group, semi-structured interviews with 24 humanitarian entrants (10 male, 14 female) recruited from Afghan, Bhutanese and Burundian communities in Adelaide, Australia were conducted. Interviews were performed with interpreters present, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.