Teaching of major communicable diseases in Sudanese medical schools: a critical look

This descriptive, cross-sectional study of Sudanese medical schools aimed to describe and analyse the proportion of their curricula currently allocated for teaching of communicable diseases and to assess the teaching methods and student assessment tools. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from heads of departments and students in 20 of the 27 medical faculties and from ministry of health staff at federal and state levels. Curriculum designs ranged from traditional to innovative, community-oriented programmes. Problems regarding student evaluations were identified. Major limitations included shortages of staff, reference materials and teaching aids. Poor knowledge of students about different aspects of diseases endemic in Sudan was found. Recommendations include curriculum development, staff recruitment and training, and improvement of teaching and training of students

Mesh versus non-mesh repair of ventral abdominal hernias

To investigate the relative effectiveness of mesh and suture repair of ventral abdominal hernias in terms of clinical outcome, quality of life and rate of recurrence in both the techniques. This is a retrospective descriptive analysis of 236 patients with mesh and non-mesh repair of primary ventral hernias performed between January 2000 to December 2004 at Surgery Department, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro. The record sheets of the patients were analyzed and data retrieved to compare the results of both techniques for short-term and long-term results. The data retrieved is statistically analyzed on SPSS version 11. There were 43 [18.22%] males and 193 [81.77%] females with a mean age of 51.79 years and a range of 59 [81-22]. Para-umbilical hernia was the commonest of ventral hernia and accounted for 49.8% [n=118] of the total study population followed by incisional hernia comprising 24% [n=57] of the total number. There was a significant difference in the recurrent rate at 3 years interval with 23/101 [22.77%] recurrences in suture-repaired subjects compared to 10/135 [7.40%] in mesh repair group. Chronic pain lasting up to 1-2 years was noted in 14 patients with suture repair. Wound infection is comparatively more common [8.14%] in mesh group. The other variables such as operative and postoperative complications, total hospital stay and quality of life is also discussed. Mesh repair of ventral hernia is much superior to non-mesh suture repair in terms of recurrence and overall outcome

Changing spectrum of gallstone disease: an experience of 23 cases less than 10 years of age

An overall increase in the incidence of paediatric cholelithiasis forms the basis of this study, which aims to investigate the overall changing clinical pattern of cholelithiasis. This is a retrospective observational descriptive study including twenty three [23] patients with gallstones admitted and operated during June 2006-June 2008 in surgical department of a teaching hospital. All the patients with sonological evidence of gallstones, less than 10 years of age with history of acute or chronic abdominal symptoms are included in the study population. After admission all the subjects were investigated and finally operated by open approach [21 patients] during the same admission. The details of all the patients were recorded on a proforma and statistical analysis done on SPSS version 12. Of the total study population, there were 19 [82.6%] males and 4 [17.39%] females with a mean age of 7 years and a range of 4-10 years. Ultrasound revealed gallstones in all the patients with a varying proportion of the walls of gallbladder. The commonest presentation was abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant, which was vague, and of mild to moderate intensity. In 21 [91.30%] patients, no specific underlying cause was found while two patients [8.6%] had haematological disorder as underlying cause for the gallstones. This study indicates an alarming increase in the incidence of idiopathic gallstones in children less than 10 years of age with a distinct male predominance