No abstract

There are important differences in the scope of general surgery and the knowledge and skills required by general surgeons in Botswana compared with their North American counterparts. We present a simple and inexpensive approach that could serve as a potential model for designing contextually relevant surgical training programs in other low-resource settings.

A 43-year-old female presented at the accident and emergency department of Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana. She reported a deep dull aching pain of two years duration in the right iliac fossa that has been progressively becoming worse. Ultrasound revealed a large sausage like cystic mass extending from the pelvis up to the medial aspect of the ascending colon. CT scan showed a large sausage like cystic mass extending from the pelvis up to the hepatic flexure of the colon with the cecum displaced. No metastatic features were seen. We made an impression of appendiceal mucocele. A semi-elective laparotomy was scheduled. Intraoperative findings: a giant intact cystic distended appendix with involved base, displacing the cecum cranially. A right hemicolectomy was performed. The histopathological results revealed a low-grade appendicular mucinous neoplasm with no lymph node involvement. The surgical margins were free. The patient recovered uneventfully.

We present a 26-year-old male patient who presented with complete bowel obstruction and peritonitis. His abdominal X-rays showed grossly distended large bowels with air–fluid levels. A differential diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus was entertained and the patient was taken for an exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperatively, we found a sigmoid volvulus and a concurrent transverse colon volvulus. A subtotal colectomy and colostomy was performed. The histopathology results showed mucosal and submucosal congestion, chronic inflammation, and no malignancy or dysplasia. Synchronous volvulus of the sigmoid and transverse colon is an extremely rare. Management includes endoscopic derotation and decompression followed by semi-elective surgery in non-complicated cases. When endoscopic decompression has failed or there is suspicion of necrosis or perforation, surgery is mandatory.