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We retrospectively reviewed the records and histopathological findings of 64 ade-quate native kidney biopsies performed at the Jordan University Hospital from January 2002 through December 2006. The nephrotic syndrome (NS) was the main reason for biopsy in 51.6% of the cases and deterioration of kidney function in 31%. Primary glomerulonephritis (GN) was diagnosed in 59.4% of the biopsies, and focal segmental glomeulosclerosis (FSGS) was the most common pathology detected (17.2%). Systemic lupus erythematosis was found in 17 patients (26.6%), and it was the commonest secondary GN pathology.

Introduction. End-stage renal disease is a serious illness with major consequences in both health and healthcare expenditures. The growing number of patients with end-stage renal disease in developing countries will consume a greater proportion of healthcare budget. We aimed to assess the costs of hemodialysis and kidney transplantation in a renal care center in Sudan. Materials and Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the costs of kidney transplantation and compare those with the costs of hemodialysis per year. We enrolled 78 patients on regular hemodialysis for at least 2 years and 33 kidney transplant patients on regular follow-up at Gezira Hospital for Renal Diseases and Surgery in Sudan. Results. The annual cost of hemodialysis was found to be US $ 6847.00. The total cost of the first year after transplantation was US $ 14 825.04 and the cost of kidney transplantation after the first year was US $ 10 651.00. The total hospitalization days and absence from work were less in the transplant group. Conclusions. Hemodialysis in Sudan is less expensive than transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anaemia is a known complication of end stage renal disease (ESRD). The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) guidelines recommend that haemoglobin (Hb) level in patients with ESRD should be maintained at 11-11.5 g/dl. However, it is difficult to achieve these figures in under resourced countries with limited setup where patients with ESRD frequently run low haemoglobin concentrations. The aims of this study were to review the Hb levels and prevalence of anaemia in ESRD patients undergoing kidney transplantation in a transplant centre in Sudan and to explore the correlation of pre-operative anaemia with post-operative adverse cardiovascular events, delayed graft function (DGF), and frequency of blood transfusion. Methods: Records of all patients who underwent kidney transplantation during the period Jan 2012 to Dec 2012, were retrospectively reviewed. The variables analysed were pre-operative Hb, frequency of perioperative blood transfusion, cardiovascular events during the perioperative period and frequency of DGF. Results: Forty two patients were included in this study. The mean pre-operative Hb level was 10.26 g/dl (SD: 2.05). Twenty six patients (62%) had moderate or severe anaemia, as defined by the World Health Organisation, at the time of transplantation. None of the patients developed cardiovascular events during the perioperative period. There was no statistically significant association between pre-operative anaemia and DGF and frequency of blood transfusion. Conclusion: Offering renal transplant to anaemic ESRD patients was not associated with adverse cardiovascular events. The frequency of DGF in anaemic patients was equivalent to those with normal Hb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is traditionally treated with open release through a long palmar incision, which leaves some patients with pillar pain and scar tenderness. The Knifelight (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI) is an exciting new instrument that allows minimally invasive release of the transcarpal ligament without subjecting the patient to the traditional problematic open palmar incision. However, no long-term data has been published in the literature so far., Material and Methods: A modified QuickDASH score questionnaire was used to assess long-term results and patient satisfaction 10 years following our department's original randomized control trial comparing open carpal tunnel release (43 patients) to carpal tunnel release using the Knifelight method (39 patients)., Results: The mean modified QuickDASH score was 33.71 (SD 23.27) for the open group and 13.22 (SD 13.62) for the Knifelight group (P-value=0.0024). Patients from the open group complained of pillar pain (30%), scar tenderness (25%) and recurrence of carpal tunnel symptoms (18%). Three patients had symptoms so severe that they could not perform their jobs. In the Knifelight group there were no reports of any pain, recurrence or scar-related problems and a high level of general satisfaction was observed with this group of patients., Conclusions: Our study results show that the minimally invasive Knifelight carpal tunnel release was associated with better clinical outcomes, less complications and overall better quality of life when compared to the conventional open carpal tunnel release.