ABSTRACT
Background: Church/mission hospitals and other non-government health institutions inKenya provide 30of the healthcare needs; providing affordable care to the rural poor. This review presents the surgical pathology to which a general surgeon working in a rural Kenyan hospital is exposed through training and beyond. Additionally; some ofthe rarer surgical pathology; `rare birds'; encountered during this period is reported. Methods: In this retrospective study; all the surgical specimens submitted by the author for histopathological examination over a period of thirteen years were reviewed and analyzed. The findings are reported. Results: The results of 1826 surgical specimens were divided into the major surgical specialties that a surgeon working in this environment is exposed to. General surgical specimens constituted 48.4of the total specimens; while urology; gynecology; maxillofacial/otolaryngology and `other' specialties made up 34.6; 7.8; 6.7; and 2.5respectively. There were a total of 389 malignancies; of which 55were in general surgery and 31.1in urology. Rare surgical pathologies encountered over this period included acne conglobata; an intramuscular lipoma of the forearm; intraosseous lipoma of the fibula; primary tuberculosis of the prostate gland and of the thyroid gland; amongst others. Conclusion: Church/mission hospitals currently present excellent opportunities both for training and career development in general surgery and related disciplines