title: Rural surgery in Guinea Bissau: an experience of Doctors Worldwide Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Africa, there is critical shortage of surgeons. Majority of the surgeons work in urban centers, and almost none of them is working in the rural areas. This study documents surgical interventions performed in Guinea-Bissau by Doctors Worldwide Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of surgeons from the Doctors Worldwide Turkey performed various surgical interventions in the Simao Mendes, Gabu and Bafata community hospitals. Demographics, surgical methods, anesthesia techniques and complications were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty- four procedures were undertaken between 5-16 February 2010 and 6-11 May 2011. The patient population consisted of 47 male (82.5%) and 10 female (17.5%) patients with a mean age of 44.5 (range: 6-81) years. Five emergency cases were observed. Hartmann's procedure for rectal carcinoma; modified radical mastectomy for breast carcinoma; 2 right total thyroidectomies, 1 bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy; 2 incisional hernia repairs with mesh, 1 breast lumpectomy, 3 mass excisions, 2 keloidectomies, and various techniques of hernia repair for 35 inguinal hernias (4 bilateral, 3 strangulated and 2 coexisting with hydrocele), Winkelmann's procedure for 5 hydroceles (1 bilateral), and unilateral orchiectomy for 1 bilateral hydrocele were recorded. Sixteen patients received general (23.5%), 23 spinal (33.8%), 7 epidural (10.3%), 15 local (22.1%), and 7 ketamine (10.3%) anesthesia. There was no mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical diseases, majority of which are hernias threaten public health in underdeveloped regions of Africa. Blitz surgery may be an efficient temporary solution.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Medeniyet University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Alimoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Medeniyet University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Julide
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sagiroglu
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Medeniyet University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tunc
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eren
authors.affiliation: Department of Disaster Medicine, Bezm-i Alem University School of Medicine, Vakif Gureba Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kerem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kinik
keywords: Doctors Worldwide Turkey; Guinea-Bissau; rural surgery