Compliance to the South African ventral hernia guidelines: inaugural results from the HIG(SA) registry.

Background: The Hernia Interest Group (HIG) of South Africa (SA), following the publication of their inguinal and ventral hernia guidelines (in 2015 and 2016 respectively), developed a hernia registry, the HIG(SA) hernia registry.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the prospectively maintained HIG(SA) hernia registry from 1 February 2019 to 29 February 2020. Compliance to six recommendations made in the HIG(SA) ventral hernia guidelines were assessed in both the public and private healthcare systems.

Retrospective audit of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair at a South African tertiary academic hospital.

Background: Adoption of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) in sub-Saharan Africa is poor. The aim of this study was to describe our experience of the feasibility and short-term efficacy of the LIHR service at a South African tertiary academic hospital.

Methods: A retrospective audit of all the adult, elective, laparoscopic inguinal hernia cases that were done between November 2011 and 31 October 2016.

The use of laparoscopy in managing penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries in Africa: 83 cases reviewed.

Background: The use of laparoscopy in managing haemodynamically stable patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries in developed countries is wildly practiced, but in Africa, the use of laparoscopy is still in its infancy stage. We reviewed a single centre experience in using laparoscopy in Africa for management of patients with both isolated diaphragmatic injuries as well as diaphragmatic injuries associated with intra-abdominal injuries requiring intervention.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients presenting with penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries was done.

Small bowel obstruction secondary to paravesical hernia.

Background: Bowel obstruction in the setting of the unscarred abdomen can be due to a wide variety of causes. Internal hernias are a rare cause of bowel obstruction with paravesical hernia being exceedingly rare. Paravesical hernia should form part of the differential diagnosis in the patient presenting with bowel obstruction.