A Review of HIV and Surgery in Africa.

HIV has a significant impact on surgery in Africa. Its' influence has spanned a period of about 30 years. In the 1980s' Africa experienced a rise in the national prevalence of HIV spreading across East Africa through Southern Africa, and reaching peak prevalence in the Southern African region.

Trends in upper gastrointestinal diagnosis over four decades in Lusaka, Zambia: a retrospective analysis of endoscopic findings.

Background And Aims: There a shortage of robust information about profiles of gastrointestinal disease in sub-Saharan Africa. The endoscopy unit of the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka has been running without interruption since 1977 and this 38-year record is largely intact. We report an analysis of endoscopic findings over this period.

A regional audit of the investigation and treatment of colorectal and pelvic floor disorders (1984-1991).

The activities of a regional physiology unit established for the investigation of colorectal and pelvic floor physiology in health and disease in a clinically relevant setting has been audited and its evolution described over a period of eight years. Trends in surgical treatment of some of these disorders over the same period have also been documented in the Lothian Region. Although there has been little change in the number of patients investigated annually patterns of investigation appear to change.

Outlet obstruction constipation (anismus) managed by biofeedback.

Fifteen subjects presenting with intractable constipation due to obstructive defecation, mean (SEM) duration 8.8 (1.8) years, had the inappropriate contraction and electromyographic changes in the pelvic floor muscles and external and sphincter typical of this condition.

Cytomegalovirus ileitis presenting as massive rectal bleeding in infancy.

Two Zambian infants presented with massive rectal bleeding caused by cytomegalovirus ileitis. The first was seropositive for HIV and the second seronegative, though her mother was seropositive. Both infants died.