Assessment of the Surgical Oncology Case Volume Within the Public Sector in Tanzania

PURPOSE

Surgery provides vital services to diagnose, treat, and palliate patients suffering from malignancies. However, despite its importance, there is little information on the delivery of surgical oncology services in Tanzania.

METHODS

Operative logbooks were reviewed at all national referral hospitals that offer surgery, all zonal referral hospitals in Mainland Tanganyika and Zanzibar, and a convenience sampling of regional referral hospitals in 2022. Cancer cases were identified by postoperative diagnosis and deidentified data were abstracted for each cancer surgery. The proportion of the procedures conducted for patients with cancer and the total number of cancer surgeries done within the public sector were calculated and compared with a previously published estimate of the surgical oncology need for the country.

RESULTS

In total, 69,195 operations were reviewed at 10 hospitals, including two national referral hospitals, five zonal referral hospitals, and three regional referral hospitals. Of the cases reviewed, 4,248 (6.1%) were for the treatment of cancer. We estimate that 4,938 cancer surgeries occurred in the public sector in Tanzania accounting for operations conducted at hospitals not included in our study. Prostate, breast, head and neck, esophageal, and bladder cancers were the five most common diagnoses. Although 387 (83%) of all breast cancer procedures were done with curative intent, 506 (87%) of patients with prostate and 273 (81%) of patients with esophageal cancer underwent palliative surgery.

CONCLUSION

In this comprehensive assessment of surgical oncology service delivery in Tanzania, we identified 4,248 cancer surgeries and estimate that 4,938 likely occurred in 2022. This represents only 25% of the estimated 19,726 cancer surgeries that are annually needed in Tanzania. These results highlight the need to identify strategies for increasing surgical oncology capacity in the country.

Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis: A Proposal for a Global Evidence-Based Bundle

In the multimodal strategy context, to implement healthcare-associated infection prevention, bundles are one of the most commonly used methods to adapt guidelines in the local context and transfer best practices into routine clinical care. One of the most important measures to prevent surgical site infections is surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP). This narrative review aims to present a bundle for the correct SAP administration and evaluate the evidence supporting it. Surgical site infection (SSI) prevention guidelines published by the WHO, CDC, NICE, and SHEA/IDSA/APIC/AHA, and the clinical practice guidelines for SAP by ASHP/IDSA/SIS/SHEA, were reviewed. Subsequently, comprehensive searches were also conducted using the PubMed®/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases, in order to identify further supporting evidence-based documentation. The bundle includes five different measures that may affect proper SAP administration. The measures included may be easily implemented in all hospitals worldwide and are based on minimal drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics knowledge, which all surgeons should know. Antibiotics for SAP should be prescribed for surgical procedures at high risk for SSIs, such as clean-contaminated and contaminated surgical procedures or for clean surgical procedures where SSIs, even if unlikely, may have devastating consequences, such as in procedures with prosthetic implants. SAP should generally be administered within 60 min before the surgical incision for most antibiotics (including cefazolin). SAP redosing is indicated for surgical procedures exceeding two antibiotic half-lives or for procedures significantly associated with blood loss. In principle, SAP should be discontinued after the surgical procedure. Hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship programmes can optimise the treatment of infections and reduce adverse events associated with antibiotics. In the context of a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, it is essential to encourage an institutional safety culture in which surgeons are persuaded, rather than compelled, to respect antibiotic prescribing practices. In that context, the proposed bundle contains a set of evidence-based interventions for SAP administration. It is easy to apply, promotes collaboration, and includes measures that can be adequately followed and evaluated in all hospitals worldwide.

Ten golden rules for optimal antibiotic use in hospital settings: the WARNING call to action

Antibiotics are recognized widely for their benefits when used appropriately. However, they are often used inappropriately despite the importance of responsible use within good clinical practice. Effective antibiotic treatment is an essential component of universal healthcare, and it is a global responsibility to ensure appropriate use. Currently, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop new antibiotics due to scientific, regulatory, and financial barriers, further emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. To address this issue, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery established an international multidisciplinary task force of 295 experts from 115 countries with different backgrounds. The task force developed a position statement called WARNING (Worldwide Antimicrobial Resistance National/International Network Group) aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and improving antibiotic prescribing practices worldwide. The statement outlined is 10 axioms, or "golden rules," for the appropriate use of antibiotics that all healthcare workers should consistently adhere in clinical practice.

Colorectal cancer in Tanzania: the current status and future directions

Introduction

Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer death. By 2030, the incidence is expected to increase to reach 2.2 million cases and 1.1 million deaths. In Sub-Saharan Africa, accurate cancer incidence data is limited, but anecdotally, clinicians note a significant rise in the incidence of CRC in the past decade. To educate clinicians on the growing burden of CRC, the Tanzanian Surgical Association hosted a 4-day CRC symposium from 3rd to 6th October 2022. Following the meeting, a group of multidisciplinary stakeholders created a working group whose first task was to assess the epidemiology, presentation and available resources for CRC care in Tanzania. The findings of that assessment are described in this article.

Findings

The true incidence of CRC in Tanzania is currently unknown. However, individual high-volume centres have noted a dramatic rise in cases of colon and rectal cancer on their wards. A review of the published data on CRC in Tanzania showed that most patients present with CRC late and the limited availability of endoscopic and diagnostic services poses a challenge for accurately staging these patients prior to treatment. Multidisciplinary care, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, is available for the treatment of CRC in Tanzania, although the capacity and quality of these services vary throughout the country.

Conclusion

There is a substantial burden of CRC in Tanzania that appears to be increasing. While there is capacity in the country to provide all aspects of multidisciplinary care, late presentation, limited access to diagnostic and treatment services and poor coordination continue to be significant barriers to providing optimal treatment to these patients.

A retrospective study to assess the evaluation of living related kidney donors and their outcomes following nephrectomy at Kenyatta National Hospital

Background

Kidney transplantation is the renal replacement therapy of choice for end stage renal disease. To ensure safety regular audit of the donation process is necessary. The aim of this study was to assess the evaluation of potential living related kidney donors and document their outcomes following nephrectomy.

Methods

This was a retrospective descriptive study involving all living related kidney donors seen at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) renal unit from 2010 to 2014.

Upon approval by KNH/ERC, the records of all kidney donors were retrieved. Demographic characteristics, number of potential and actual donors, their clinical, laboratory and radiological data as well as documented complications and deaths were recorded. SPSS version 17(Chicago, Ilinois) was used for data entry and analysis. Chi square test and Mann Whitney U test were used as tests of association for categorical and continuous data respectively, with P value set at <0.05.

Results

Median age of the donors was 34 years (IQR 31–39). First-degree relatives were majority(84.5%). Renal function assessment was done using mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from the radionuclide scan (DTPA) and serum creatinine levels. The donors had a mean GFR of 99.2 ± SD 6.6. All the haematological and biochemical tests were within normal. Majority(42.9%) were HLA compatible, but data on HLA typing was missing for 22% of the patients records. On CT angiogram, single renal artery and single renal vein were found in 94 and 88% respectively. Immediate complications included excessive bleeding(2%) and breach of other cavities (4%). Paralytic ileus (32%) and atelectasis (27%) were the most common early postoperative complications. There was no mortality.

Conclusion

Our study reports no fatality but significant post-operative complications. These are significant findings that may be used to review and improve care and to educate potential kidney donors on the safety of this procedure in our centre, in a bid to widen the pool of potential living kidney donors.

A caecal pseoudotumour with an incidental adenomatoid testicular tumour in a man with right undescended testis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory pseudotumour refers to a non-malignant tumour-like mass resulting from an inflammatory reaction that is composed of granulation tissue with leukocyte infiltration that commonly occurs in the paediatric or young adult population. These tumours occur more commonly in the lungs and the orbit but rarely does it affect the gastrointestinal tract. It poses a clinical diagnostic challenge since it is a benign condition than can mimic the malignant counterpart. Our case is a rare presentation of the caecal pseudotumour in the presence of a right undescended abdominal testis evaluated as a caecal tumour with a differential diagnosis of a testicular malignancy.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a 53-year-old male who presented with clinical signs suggestive of right colon tumour and undescended right testis. Intra-operatively, a caecal mass was found with no clearly discernable appendix and extensive adhesion of the right colon to the retroperitoneum, to the liver and gall bladder. A testis was found adherent to the posterior aspect of the caecum and terminal ileum. A right hemicolectomy was performed. Histopathology findings revealed an inflammatory mass with abundant fibroblast proliferation and chronic inflammatory cells infiltrate, involving bowel wall and periceacal adipose tissue; no malignant cells were identified. The testis had within it an adenomatoid tumour nodule. He had uneventful recovery and was discharged home 7 days post-operatively. At the moment, he is symptoms free.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of right colonic inflammatory pseudotumour and co-existent adenomatoid testicular tumour arising from a cryptorchid testis is very unusual. This would make one incline towards a malignant testicular lesion in the presence of cryptorchidism. Testicular adenomatoid tumour is a rare benign neoplasm, mostly affecting fully descended testis and usually does not warrant orchidectomy for purposes of preserving testicular function. On the other hand, surgical resection remains the only safe and curative treatment option available for inflammatory pseudotumours.

Branchial cysts: an unusual cause of a mediastinal mass: a case report

Introduction

Complex embryological processes form the head and neck of humans. It is not flawless; remnants lead to sinuses or cysts, commonly in the head and neck region.

Case presentation

We present the a case of an 8-year-old boy, a primary school pupil, from rural Kenya with chronic cough, wheezing, difficulty in breathing and dyspnea on exertion. He was treated with antibiotics and antitubercular drugs without improvement prior to referral to our hospital. A computed tomography scan of his chest revealed a superior mediastinal mass extending into his neck. A diagnosis of a brachial cleft cyst was made and our patient underwent a successful excision of the mass through a median strenotomy and neck dissection.

Conclusions

Branchial cysts of the neck are common, accounting for 20% of pediatric neck masses. Usually they present as a neck mass but in our case it presented as a mediastinal mass, which is a very rare clinical presentation. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment. To the surgeon, the embryology and anatomy should be absolutely clear as dissection may be challenging due to the close proximity and variable course of the cystic stalk to major neck vessels and nerves.

High-grade spindle cell sarcoma of the heart: a case report and review of literature

Primary cardiac spindle cell sarcomas are extremely rare and have poor prognosis. Complete surgical resection represents the only treatment option proven to work. We report a case of a 28-year-old man who was referred to our cardiothoracic unit with a right ventricular mass extending to the main pulmonary artery with a provisional diagnosis of a thrombus or a right ventricular myxoma. He sought medical attention after experiencing shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, abdominal pain and bilateral leg swelling for about 6 weeks. Two dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram showed a mass arising from the right ventricle and extending into the main pulmonary artery; findings that were confirmed with contrast chest CT scan.

He underwent extensive resection of the mass and had uneventful postoperative period with immediate symptomatic relieve. He is on adjuvant chemotherapy using vincristine, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (VAC). Right ventricular sarcoma is a very rare cause of right sided heart failure, a very aggressive tumour whose only chance of successful treatment is complete surgical excision.

Surgical education at Weill Bugando Medical Centre: supplementing surgical training and investing in local health care providers

Global surgery initiatives increasingly are focused on strengthening education and local health care systems to build surgical capacity. The goal of this education project was to support local health care providers in augmenting the surgical curriculum at a new medical school, thus promoting long-term local goals and involvement. Working with local surgeons, residents, and medical and assistant medical officer students, we identified the most common surgical conditions presenting to Weill Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania, and the areas of greatest need in surgical education. We developed an 8-week teaching schedule for undergraduate students and an electronic database of clinical surgery topics. In addition, we started teaching basic surgical skills in the operating theatre, bridging to an official and recurring workshop through a supporting international surgery organization. The medical and assistant medical officer students reported increased satisfaction with their clinical surgery rotations and mastery of key educational subjects. The initiation of an Essential Surgical Skills workshop through the Canadian Network for International Surgery showed students had improved comfort with basic surgical techniques. Short-term surgical missions may appear to fill a void in the shortage of health care in the developing world. However, we conclude that global health resources are more appropriately used through projects giving ownership to local providers and promoting education as a foundation of development. This results in better coordination among local and visiting providers and greater impact on education and long-term growth of health care capacity.

Short-term surgical missions: joining hands with local providers to ensure sustainability

Short-term surgical missions may appear to fill a void in surgical capacity in the developing world, but may inadvertently also disrupt well-established local healthcare systems. The surgical providers of an East African hospital developed suggestions for improving these missions so that they can benefit visitors, local providers and patients alike.