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Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Egg donation as an aspect of assisted reproductive technology has brought hope to several individuals and couples with various forms of infertility. Whereas literature from around the globe has been rich on its ethical, psycho-social, and health dimensions, Sub-Saharan Africa has remained underrepresented in that discourse. This review, therefore, synthesizes international evidence and contextualizes it for Sub-Saharan African settings. This is despite the fact that there are significant research gaps, particularly on the health outcomes of donors over the longer term, investigation of psychosocial effects, and understanding of how different compensation and consent frameworks affect the experiences of donors. Most importantly, empirical studies from Sub-Saharan Africa remain scant, with a lack of culturally adapted ethical guidelines. Methodology: The study used PRISMA guidelines to comprehensively search the databases: Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Wiley Cochrane, and Clinicaltrials.gov. Studies in the form of surveys, systematic reviews, and qualitative interviews were analyzed using a narrative synthesis approach. A total of 5528 papers as of October 2nd, 2025, were reviewed, out of which only 14 papers were selected since they fit into the criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for quality assessment. Results: Informed consent procedures often lack the presence of long-term risks, and compensation practices are highly variable, with the potential for exploitation. Donors report a range of psychosocial outcomes from altruism to identity-related distress. Health risks include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, although the possible links with breast and ovarian cancers are not established due to limited long-term data. Conclusions: The implications are equally clear: ethical egg donation in Sub-Saharan Africa should be based on consent models sensitive to culture, regulated compensation frameworks, and mandated counseling protocols. Registries of don
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Obstetric emergencies represent a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Data from northern Cameroon remain scarce, motivating the present study. Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic profile of third-trimester obstetric emergencies at the Garoua Regional Hospital (GRH), Cameroon. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection was conducted in the Gynecology-Obstetrics department of the GRH from January 1 to December 31, 2023. All pregnant women in the third trimester or in the immediate postpartum period with a confirmed obstetric emergency were included. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0. Results: A total of 336 obstetric emergencies were recorded out of 2,557 pregnant women (frequency: 13.14%). The mean age was 25.30 ± 6.68 years. The most common emergencies were dystocia (36.6%), hemorrhagic emergencies (30.9%), acute fetal distress (29.7%), hypertensive emergencies (22.7%), and infectious emergencies (6.3%). Surgical treatment was performed in 68.5% of cases. Maternal mortality was 3.7% and fetal/neonatal mortality was 25.5%. Conclusion: Third-trimester obstetric emergencies are frequent at the GRH. Dystocia, hemorrhage, and acute fetal distress are the leading types. Fetal/neonatal lethality remains high, underscoring the need for strengthened antenatal care and emergency obstetric services in this region.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Paediatric inguinal hernias commonly result from congenital persistence of processus vaginalis (PV) and usually require surgical correction. This patent processus vaginalis can be bilateral and if one side is clinically unapparent during the surgery for the contralateral side, a metachronous hernia may result leading to a second operation and anaesthesia. Preoperative groin ultrasonography has been suggested as a tool to reduce the incidence of metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia. Objectives: This study aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting clinically unapparent contralateral inguinal hernia in children. The study also aims to determine whether the exploration of the groin in paediatric inguinal hernia based on ultrasonography findings is justified. Patients and Methods: This is a fourteen-month prospective study of 42 patients that presented to the Paediatric Surgery Units of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu State, with clinically apparent unilateral inguinal, inguinoscrotal/inguinolabial hernias. All patients had an ultrasound of the contralateral inguinal region to detect unapparent inguinal hernia based on Toki’s classification using a high-resolution 7.5-11MHz linear transducer. Patients with positive ultrasonography findings had contralateral inguinal exploration. Ultrasound and intra-operative features were compared to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography. A structured proforma was used to collect data and SPSS statistics version 25.0 was used to analyze the data. Test of significance was applied where appropriate using fisher’s exact test. The confidence interval was calculated at a 95% level and a p-value of 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 3 years (range of 1 month to 15 years) and the median Body Mass Index (BMI) was 14.3kg/m2(range of 11.1kg/m2 to 20.1kg/m2). A total of 7 patients (16.7%) had
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Caesarean section is the delivery of a foetus through surgical incisions in the abdominal and uterine walls. A rise in the rates has been reported, and many may be medically unnecessary but may still be associated with wound complications. Studies evaluating the post caesarean section wound complications and associated risk factors are sparse, and the few available are retrospective. The study aimed to determine the quality of wound healing after caesarean section and elicit factors that may affect outcome. Materials and Methods: The study was a prospective observational study carried out in a Teaching Hospital in South-East Nigeria. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. The information obtained included the socio-demographic data, the pre-, intra-, and the post-operative data including wound characteristics assessed with modified ASEPSIS wound score. Data obtained was analysed with SPSS version 29. Chi square (X2) was used to test for significance and values < 0.05 was considered significant. Results were presented in tables, charts, and prose. Results: 134 women were delivered by caesarean section (37.6%). The mean ASEPSIS score was 4.8. Seventy-eight percent had satisfactory healing while others had various grades of wound complications. The average body mass index (BMI) was 30.3 kg/m2 ± 6.3 kg/m2 (SD). The mean haematocrit value was 31.7% ± 6.3% while the mean estimated blood loss was 426.45ml ±165.09 (SD). The BMI, haematocrit and blood loss were among the factors that affected outcome. Conclusion: About 22% of patients had various forms of wound challenges with associated factors elicited. Efforts at controlling these factors will improve outcome.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Desmoid tumors are rare, benign fibroblastic neoplasms characterized by locally aggressive behavior and high recurrence rates. Abdominal wall desmoid tumors show a strong association with pregnancy and prior abdominal surgery. Case Presentation: A 28-year-old female presented with a gradually progressive anterior abdominal wall mass one year following childbirth. She had a history of laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair for umbilical hernia performed during an undetected early pregnancy. Imaging revealed a large intramuscular mass arising from the rectus abdominis muscle. The patient underwent wide local excision of tumor with abdominal wall reconstruction using composite mesh. Histopathology confirmed intra-abdominal fibromatosis with negative surgical margins. Clinical Discussion: Hormonal influences related to pregnancy and antecedent surgical trauma are recognized contributors to desmoid tumor development. Complete surgical excision remains the primary treatment for symptomatic abdominal wall desmoid tumors, although recurrence rates remain significant. Conclusion: This case highlights the multifactorial pathogenesis of abdominal wall desmoid tumors in the postpartum period and underscores the importance of early diagnosis, complete surgical excision, and long-term follow-up.
Original Research Article
Male Infertility: Epidemiological, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aspects at the Urology-Andrology Department of Ignace Deen University Hospital, Conakry
Barry MD, Kanté D, Barry AO, Bah OP, Diallo TO, Barry MM, Diallo AT, Bah MB, Bah I, Diallo AB, Bah OR
East African Scholars J Med Surg; 2026; 8(4): 140-143
https://doi.org/10.36349/easjms.2026.v08i04.002
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ABSTRACT
Introduction: Currently, infertility constitutes a real public health problem due to its prevalence, distribution, and the difficulties related to its management. The general objective of this study was to contribute to the study of male infertility in its epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects at the Urology-Andrology department of Ignace Deen National Hospital. Methodology: This was a retrospective descriptive study lasting five (5) years, from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2024. All patient records admitted for male infertility, having clinical observation and at least two sperm analyses during the study period, were included in this study. Results: We collected 272 records during our study over a period of five (5) years. The average age of patients was 36.50 years (ranging from 20 to 68 years). The 30-39 age group was most represented, accounting for 44.85% (n=122). Risk factors were dominated by smoking and heat exposure, with 30.51% (n=83) and 22.06% (n=60), respectively. Infertility was primary in 74.63% (n=203) of patients and secondary in 25.37% (n=69) of cases. On examination, 68% (n=185) of patients had varicocele. Regarding quantity, the spermogram was abnormal in 95.2%. From a therapeutic perspective, varicocelectomy was performed in 185 patients, representing 68% of cases, compared to 32% of cases (n=87) where spermatogenesis induction and/or dietary supplements were provided for azoospermic patients or those with oligo-astheno-teratospermia (OATS). Conclusion: The prevalence of male infertility in our study was remarkable. Over a period of 5 years, 272 records were collected in our department. This represents a real public health problem. The sperm profile was dominated by oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
Original Research Article
ABSTRACT
Background: Acute pain is a leading cause of presentation to emergency departments (EDs) worldwide, yet robust data from sub Saharan Africa remain limited. Understanding its epidemiology is essential to optimise triage, analgesic strategies, and patient outcomes. Objective: To characterise the epidemiological profile of acute pain and identify independent determinants of severe pain among patients presenting to the ED of Essos Hospital Center. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study over three months. Consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) presenting with acute pain were enrolled. Pain intensity was assessed at triage using a 10 point visual analogue scale (VAS). Etiologies were categorised as trauma-related, abdominal, obstetric/gynecological, or other medical. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of severe pain (VAS ≥7). Results: Among 220 patients (mean age 36 ± 12 years; 54% female; sex ratio 0.85), trauma-related pain accounted for 38% of presentations, abdominal 31%, obstetric/gynecological 18%, and other medical 13%. Severe pain was reported in 64% of patients. Independent predictors of severe pain were female sex (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1–2.7), trauma-related etiology (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8), and delayed presentation >2 hours (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.2–3.1). Conclusion: Trauma, abdominal, and obstetric/gynecological conditions are the predominant causes of acute pain. Early, structured, context-adapted analgesia protocols are essential to reduce oligoanalgesia and improve emergency care quality in resource-limited settings.