1. Emergency general surgery in Rwandan district hospitals: a cross-sectional study of spectrum, management, and patient outcomes
- Author
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Christophe Mpirimbanyi, Alexandre Nyirimodoka, Yihan Lin, Bethany L. Hedt-Gauthier, Jackline Odhiambo, Theoneste Nkurunziza, Joaquim M. Havens, Jack Omondi, Emile Rwamasirabo, Faustin Ntirenganya, Gabriel Toma, Joel Mubiligi, Scheilla Bayitondere, and Robert Riviello
- Subjects
Acute care surgery ,Emergency general surgery ,Soft tissue infections ,Acute abdominal conditions ,Africa ,Complicated hernia ,Surgery ,RD1-811 - Abstract
Abstract Background Management of emergency general surgical conditions remains a challenge in rural sub-Saharan Africa due to issues such as insufficient human capacity and infrastructure. This study describes the burden of emergency general surgical conditions and the ability to provide care for these conditions at three rural district hospitals in Rwanda. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included all patients presenting to Butaro, Kirehe and Rwinkwavu District Hospitals between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2015 with emergency general surgical conditions, defined as non-traumatic, non-obstetric acute care surgical conditions. We describe patient demographics, clinical characteristics, management and outcomes. Results In 2015, 356 patients presented with emergency general surgical conditions. The majority were male (57.2%) and adults aged 15–60 years (54.5%). The most common diagnostic group was soft tissue infections (71.6%), followed by acute abdominal conditions (14.3%). The median length of symptoms prior to diagnosis differed significantly by diagnosis type (p
- Published
- 2017
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