Wilhelm, T.J.Anemana, S.Kyamanywa, PatrickRennie, J.Post, S.Freudenberg, S.2022-04-052022-04-052006-07-01Wilhelm, T.J., Anemana, S., Kyamanywa, P., Rennie, J., Post, S. and Freudenberg, S. (2006). Anaesthesia for elective inguinal hernia repair in rural Ghana-appeal for local anaesthesia in resource-poor countries. Tropical Doctor, 36(3).0049-47551758-1133http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12280/2901Local anaesthesia has been identified as the most favourable anaesthesia for elective inguinal hernia repair with respect to complication rate, cost-effectiveness, and overall patient satisfaction. Operation theatre notes in all seven hospitals in the Northern Region in Ghana over the period of 1 year were reviewed. Only 22.4% out of 1038 repairs were performed under local anaesthesia while predominantly spinal and general anaesthesia were used (48.0 and 29.6%, respectively). African surgeons chose local anaesthesia far less frequently than visiting overseas surgeons (15.6 versus 27.7%, respectively). All surgeons in resource-poor countries should be encouraged to use local anaesthesia more frequently for elective inguinal hernia repair. Valuable resources in sub-Saharan African hospitals could be saved, especially if used in combination with outpatient surgery. The technique should be taught in teaching institutions. A simple step-by-step technique is described.enAnaesthesiaHernia repairGhanaLocal anaesthesiaPoor countriesArticle