Purpose: Humanitarianism is by definition a moral of kindness, benevolence and sympathy extended to all human beings. In our view as surgeons working in underserved countries, humanitarianism means performing the best operation in the best possible circumstances with high income country (HIC) results and training in-country surgeons to do the same. Hernia Repair for the Underserved (HRFU), a not for profit organization, is developing a long term public health initiative for hernia surgery in Western Hemisphere countries. We report the progress of HRFUs methods to render humanitarian care.
Methods: In a collaborative effort, Creighton University and the Institute for Latin American Concern developed an outpatient surgery site for hernia surgery in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Based on this experience, we developed a sustainable care model by recruiting American and European Hernia Society expert surgeons, staff members they recommended, building relationships with local and industry partners, and selecting local surgeons to be trained in mesh hernioplasty. HRFU then extended the care model to other Western Hemisphere countries.
Results: Between 2004 and 2015, the HRFU elective hernia morbidity and mortality rates for 2052 hernia operations were 0.7 and 0%, respectively. This is consistent with outcomes from HICs and confirms the feasibility of a public health initiative based on the principles of the Preferential Option for the Poor.
Conclusions: HRFU has recorded HIC morbidity and mortality rates for hernia surgery in low and middle income countries and has initiated a new surgical training model for sustainability of effect.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10029-017-1665-0 | DOI Listing |
BMC Surg
January 2025
Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, 11111, Sudan.
Background & Aims: Hernia is a very common surgical condition affecting all ages and both sexes. Data regarding abdominal wall hernias is essential to hernia management in an institution. With the absence of data regarding the prevalence, characteristics, and associations of abdominal wall hernias in Sudanese patients, we aimed to describe and find the possible differences in the spectrum of abdominal hernias, their rates, and associated predisposing factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMJ Case Rep
January 2025
Pediatric Surgical Services, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center, Tacoma, Washington, USA
Spigelian hernia and cryptorchidism syndrome in children is increasingly reported in the literature. A variety of phenotypes have been reported, so diagnostic approaches and operative techniques remain poorly defined. The case of an infant male who presented with a left spigelian hernia and ipsilateral cryptorchidism who was initially misdiagnosed with an ectopic inguinal testis is presented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrosurgery
January 2025
Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Open abdomen treatment (OAT) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In cases where primary or delayed fascial closure cannot be achieved, vacuum-assisted wound closure and mesh-mediated fascial traction are indicated, which often result in a planned ventral hernia. If secondary skin closure is not feasible, common treatment of granulated abdominal defects involves split-thickness skin-grafting or healing by secondary intention leading to significant scarring and sometimes mutilating defects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Case Rep
January 2025
Department of General Surgery, Fundación Cardioinfantil - LaCardio, Bogotá, Colombia.
BACKGROUND Terminal ileum (TI) anastomoses present challenges due to anatomical features and pressure from the ileocecal valve (ICV). The use of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is commonly used to treat chronic skin ulcers. Its use for temporary abdominal closure following anastomosis is controversial but has shown promise in patients with inflammatory or vascular disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
General Surgery, Cancer Center, Department of Hernia Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China.
Three-dimensional (3D) printed surgical models provide an excellent surgical training option to closely mimic real operations to teach medical students who currently rely largely on visual learning aided with simple suturing pads. There is an unmet need to create simple to complex surgical training programs suitable for medical students. A prospective cohort study was conducted on a group of 16 6th year students.
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