Retroperitoneal less donor nephrectomy

Donor nephrectomy with laparo-endoscopic single site (LESS) surgery has been reported via the transperitoneal approach. We describe a novel technique of retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy using a single surgical incision in the groin, below the abdominal skin crease or "bikini line". The LESS groin incision offers superior cosmesis, while the retroperitoneal approach has distinct advantages, such as the ability to identify the renal vessels early. The new procedure has been performed in two obese patients (body mass index 32 and 33 kg/m2, respectively). The operative times were 4 and 5 hours, warm ischemic times 135 and 315 seconds, blood loss 100 and 250 mL, and hospitalization 3 and 2 days, respectively. Retroperitoneal LESS donor nephrectomy through a single, inconspicuous groin incision is feasible and safe. Further evaluation of the technique in a larger patient cohort is indicated.

Youth Violence Risk Assessment: Gaps in Local Knowledge and Directions for Future Research

There is a lack of research on violence risk assessment in South Africa; particularly on the assessment of risk for violence in children and adolescents. This is problematic; because of the strong association between conducting sound assessments and the appropriate referral of youths to intervention programmes. Considering the very high levels of violence in our country; the effective treatment of violent youths is imperative. International literature on violence risk assessment indicates that although a number of instruments designed to assess youth violence risk exist; many primarily focus on identifying psychopathic tendencies in young people; which has stimulated much debate amongst scholars. In addition to paying careful attention to the content of youth violence risk instruments; their administration should be monitored; to ensure that assessment practice is up to standard. Future research efforts in South Africa should be dedicated towards testing the applicability of instruments developed internationally in local settings; and towards the development and testing of local instruments

Youth violence: a review of risk factors, causal pathways and effective intervention

This paper presents a review of theoretical and empirical research on risk factors for: 1) the development of violent and other antisocial behaviour; 2) international interventions targeting antisocial; including violent youths; and 3) outcome evaluations and meta-analyses of interventions targeting antisocial; including violent youths. Taken together; the international literature indicates that interventions which effectively reduce violent and other antisocial behaviours are informed by a number of generic principles which should guide the development and implementation of South African violence-prevention programmes. Common characteristics of interventions which effectively reduce youth violence are presented; with the aim of informing the design and delivery of local interventions. In light of the alarmingly high levels of violence in South Africa; there is an urgent need to develop intensive; multi-modal; evidence-based; structured; cognitive-behavioural programmes for violent adolescents and young adults. Furthermore; it is imperative that efforts are directed at developing a reliable local evidence base of 'what works' for young offenders generally; and violent young offenders specifically