Randomised controlled trial of intramuscular tramadol versus transdermal buprenorphine patch for early postoperative surgical pain.

Background: This study assesses the efficiency of the buprenorphine patch system compared to the routine use of tramadol intramuscular injections in the context of the South African public healthcare sector.

Methods: Patients were randomised into two groups, who received routine tramadol injections 100 mg every 8 hours intramuscular and buprenorphine patches 5 mcg every hour. The study assessed the first 48 hours postoperatively.

Tumour reduction with a Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator® in the palliative care of anaplastic thyroid cancer.

A 54-year-old woman developed a fungating locally invasive anaplastic thyroid cancer with distant metastases, and was treated with aggressive tumour reduction, using a Cavitron® Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator. This mode of treatment, applied for the first time in this context, proved to be effective, safe and improved her quality of life.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in black patients at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital: a feasibility study.

Objective: To determine feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for Black patients in Ga-Rankuwa Hospital and to analyse the type of stones harvested.

Design: Cross sectional description study.

Setting: Ga-Rankuwa Hospital/Medunsa, South Africa.

Sciatic artery aneurysm.

Sciatic artery aneurysm is a rare condition. We treated 4 patients. The clinical presentation in all 4 was as a result of aneurysm complications.