Several methods are available to treat mandibular tumours. This case series demonstrates the feasibility of resection and immediate reconstruction with free rib graft in limited resource settings. Innovative technical modifications are described to handle the problem of reconstruction of the angle of the mandible and to provide increased bone bulk in the centre of the mandible. Early postoperative complications are few. Follow-up demonstrates good functional results.

Our study demonstrates a significant 7-fold reduction in SSIs when comparing MIS with open surgery. This significance was also demonstrated with a 10-fold reduction for procedures involving decompression alone. Procedures that require fusion as well as decompression showed a trend towards a decreased infection rate that did not reach clinical significance.

Where surgical resources are slim, patients may suffer the obstructive symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia until they present with frank urinary retention and they may have unattended inguinal hernia. The best strategy to take care of patients who have both problems at once has remained elusive. We report a small case series of 10 patients in whom open preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair was done together with suprapubic prostatectomy over a 10-year period in the district hospital.

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The use of a large Bogota bag tucked well under fascial edges to the colonic gutters and easily made elastic bands from Esmarch bandage provides a dynamic tension system that decreases subsequent trips to theatre and may allow gradual closure of the abdominal wound.