Commercial mesh versus Nylon mosquito net for hernia repair. A randomized double-blind study in Burkina Faso.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to investigate whether locally available Nylon mosquito net might be a useful alternative to expensive commercial mesh implants for hernia repair, a clinical randomized double-blind study was performed.

Materials And Methods: Over a period of 3 months 35 patients with a total of 40 inguinal hernias were randomized for hernia repair with either a commercial graft (Ultrapro) or a piece of sterilized 100% Nylon mesh available as mosquito net in most African village markets. The surgeons' comfort in handling the meshes, the incidence of complications, and the patients' quality of life before and 30 days after hernia repair were evaluated.

HIV-related and Epstein-Barr virus-associated anal Burkitt's lymphoma: report of a case.

Purpose: This article describes and discusses primary Burkitt's lymphoma of the anus which is an extremely rare site of origin.

Methods And Results: A 38-year-old HIV+ Rwandan farmer had an 8-cm x 13-cm anal tumor. Histopathology and immunohistology provided evidence of an Epstein-Barr virus-associated Burkitt's lymphoma.

Fishing line suture: cost-saving alternative for atraumatic intracutaneous skin closure--randomized clinical trial in Rwanda.

Experience with the use of nylon fishing line for surgical sutures has been reported from several African countries. A recent publication suggested that fishing line and an injection needle may provide an atraumatic suture that is especially suitable for intracutaneous skin closures. This article provides further empirical support for such alternative technology.