Picture Cards Versus Physical Examination: A Proof-of-Concept Study to Improve the SOSAS Survey Tool.

INTRODUCTION: The Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Needs (SOSAS) survey tool is used to determine the unmet surgical needs in the community and has been validated in several countries. A major weakness is the absence of an objective assessment to verify patient-reported surgically treatable conditions. The goal of this study was to determine whether a picture portfolio, a tool previously shown to improve parental recognition of their child's congenital deformity, could improve the accuracy of the SOSAS tool by how it compares with physical examination. This study focused on children as many surgical conditions in them require prompt treatment but are often not promptly diagnosed. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional community-based study to determine the prevalence of congenital and acquired surgical conditions among children and adults in a mixed rural-urban area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The picture portfolio was administered only to children and the surgical conditions to be assessed were predetermined using an e-Delphi process among pediatric surgeons. The modified The Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Needs-Nigeria Survey Tool (SOSAS-NST) was administered to household members to collect other relevant data. Data were analyzed using the REDCap analytic tool. RESULTS: Eight hundred and fifty-six households were surveyed. There were 1984 adults (49.5%) and 2027 children (50.5%). Thirty-six children met the predetermined criteria for the picture portfolio-hydrocephalus (n = 1); lymphatic malformation (n = 1); umbilical hernia (n = 14); Hydrocele (n = 5); inguinal hernia (n = 10) and undescended testes (n = 5). The picture portfolio predicted all correctly except a case of undescended testis that was mistaken for a hernia. The sensitivity of the picture portfolio was therefore 35/36 or 97.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The SOSAS-NST has improved on the original SOSAS tool and within the limits of the small numbers, the picture portfolio has a high accuracy in predicting diagnosis in children in lieu of physical examination.

A Prospective, Observational Cost Comparison of Laparoscopic and Open Appendicectomy in Three Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The clinical benefits of laparoscopic appendicectomy are well recognized over open appendicectomy. However, laparoscopic procedures are not frequently conducted in many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) for several reasons, including perceived higher costs. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and cost of laparoscopic appendicectomy compared to open appendicectomy in Nigeria. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, cohort study among patients undergoing appendicectomy was conducted at three tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Data were collected from October 2020 to February 2022 and analyses compared the average healthcare costs at 30 days after surgery. Quantile regression was conducted to identify variables that had an impact on the costs, reported in Nigerian Naira (Naira) and US dollars ($), with standard deviations (SD). FINDINGS: This study included 105 patients, of which 39 had laparoscopic appendicectomy and 66 had open appendicectomy. The average healthcare cost of laparoscopic appendicectomy (147,562 Naira (SD: 97,130) or $355 (SD: 234)) was higher than open appendicectomy (113,556 Naira (SD: 88,559) or $273 (SD: 213)). The average time for return to work was shorter with laparoscopic than open appendicectomy (mean: 8 days vs. 14 days). At the average daily income of $5.06, laparoscopic appendicectomy was associated with 9778 Naira or $24 cost savings in return to work. Further, 5.1% of laparoscopic appendicectomy patients had surgical site infections compared to 22.7% for open appendicectomy. Regression analysis results showed that laparoscopic appendicectomy was associated with $14 higher costs than open appendicectomy, albeit non-significant (p = 0.53). INTERPRETATION: Despite selection bias in this real-world study, laparoscopic appendicectomy was associated with a slightly higher overall cost, a lower societal cost, a lower infection rate, and a faster return to work, compared to open appendicectomy. It is technically and financially feasible, and its provision in Nigeria should be expanded.

Defining Surgical Workforce Density Targets to Meet Child and Neonatal Mortality Rate Targets in the Age of the Sustainable Development Goals: A Global Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: To reduce preventable deaths of newborns and children, the United Nations set a target rate per 1000 live births of 12 for neonatal mortality (NMR) and 25 for under-5 mortality (U5MR). The purpose of this paper is to define the minimum surgical workforce needed to meet these targets and evaluate the relative impact of increasing surgeon, anesthesia, and obstetrician (SAO) density on reducing child mortality. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 192 countries to define the association between surgical workforce density and U5MR as well as NMR using unadjusted and adjusted B-spline regression, adjusting for common non-surgical causes of childhood mortality. We used these models to estimate the minimum surgical workforce to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs) for U5MR and NMR and marginal effects plots to determine over which range of SAO densities the largest impact is seen as countries scale-up SAO workforce. RESULTS: We found that increased SAO density is associated with decreased U5MR and NMR (P < 0.05), adjusting for common non-surgical causes of child mortality. A minimum SAO density of 10 providers per 100,000 population (95% CI: 7-13) is associated with an U5MR of < 25 per 1000 live births. A minimum SAO density of 12 (95% CI: 9-20) is associated with an NMR of < 12 per 1000 live births. The maximum decrease in U5MR, on the basis of our adjusted B-spline model, occurs from 0 to 20 SAO per 100,000 population. The maximum decrease in NMR based on our adjusted B-spline model occurs up from 0 to 18 SAO, with additional decrease seen up to 80 SAO. CONCLUSIONS: Scale-up of the surgical workforce to 12 SAO per 100,000 population may help health systems meet the SDG goals for childhood mortality rates. Increases in up to 80 SAO/100,000 continue to offer mortality benefit for neonates and would help to achieve the SDGs for neonatal mortality reduction.

Estimates of Treatable Deaths Within the First 20 Years of Life from Scaling Up Surgical Care at First-Level Hospitals in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

BACKGROUND: Surgical care is an important, yet often neglected component of child health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study examines the potential impact of scaling up surgical care at first-level hospitals in LMICs within the first 20 years of life. METHODS: Epidemiological data from the global burden of disease 2019 Study and a counterfactual method developed for the disease control priorities; 3rd Edition were used to estimate the number of treatable deaths in the under 20 year age group if surgical care could be scaled up at first-level hospitals. Our model included three digestive diseases, four maternal and neonatal conditions, and seven common traumatic injuries. RESULTS: An estimated 314,609 (95% UI, 239,619-402,005) deaths per year in the under 20 year age group could be averted if surgical care were scaled up at first-level hospitals in LMICs. Most of the treatable deaths are in the under-5 year age group (80.9%) and relates to improved obstetrical care and its effect on reducing neonatal encephalopathy due to birth asphyxia and trauma. Injuries are the leading cause of treatable deaths after age 5 years. Sixty-one percent of the treatable deaths occur in lower middle-income countries. Overall, scaling up surgical care at first-level hospitals could avert 5·1% of the total deaths in children and adolescents under 20 years of age in LMICs per year. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the capacity of surgical services at first-level hospitals in LMICs has the potential to avert many deaths within the first 20 years of life.

Impact of corona virus disease 2019 pandemic on paediatric surgery in a sub-saharan tertiary hospital: An observational study.

Background: The impact of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on global health, has reached far beyond that caused by the disease itself. With ongoing mutations and the emergence of new strains of the virus alongside repeated waves of the pandemic, the full impact of the pandemic is still evolving and remains difficult to predict or evaluate. In paediatric surgery, it has led to significant disruptions in patient care, the extent and consequence of which are not fully documented in Nigeria. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on services, training and research in a busy paediatric surgery unit during the initial 3-month period of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Methods: This study was an ambispective evaluation of the preceding 3 months before lockdown and the initial 3 months of lockdown. Clinic cancellations, elective and emergency surgeries, delays in access, extra cost of care to patients, impact on training and research, and the psychologic impact of the pandemic on staff and guardians were evaluated. Results: During the 3-month lockdown period, an estimated 78 new cases and 637 follow-up cases could not access care. Ninety-seven elective surgeries in 91 patients were postponed. Two (2.2%) patients' symptoms progressed. All emergency patients received care. Out-of-pocket expenditure increased averagely by $124. The pandemic contributed to delays in seeking (13%), reaching (20%) and receiving care (6%). Trainee participation in surgeries was reduced and academic programmes were suspended. Five staff were exposed to the virus and 3 infected. Conclusion: Paediatric surgery has been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Efforts must focus on planning and implementing interventions to mitigate the long-term impact.

Evaluation of the effect of nutritive versus non-nutritive pacifiers as adjuncts to local anaesthesia in male neonatal circumcision using the plastibell technique - A prospective randomised controlled study.

Background: Male circumcision is the most common surgical procedure worldwide and is often carried out for religious, cultural, medical and public health reasons. It is commonly performed during the neonatal period. Many studies have now shown that pain is a common intra- and post-operative complication. To ensure proper analgesia during the procedure, many surgeons opt for the use of pacifiers as an adjunct to anaesthesia during neonatal circumcision. The aim of this study is to compare nutritive pacifiers (NPs) versus non-NPs (NNPs) as adjuncts to local anaesthesia in male neonatal circumcision using the Plastibell technique. Methods: A prospective randomised controlled study was carried out between October 2019 and March 2020. A total of 100 neonates were circumcised using the Plastibell technique and randomised into NP (Group A, n = 33), NNP (Group B, n = 33) and controls (Group C, n = 34), respectively. The differences in pain scores using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale, total crying time and heart rate during circumcision were recorded and assessed. Results: The age of participants ranged from 5 to 28 days and the weight ranged from 2.5 to 5.0 kg. The overall mean age, birth weight and current weight of the participants were 15.5 ± 6.1 days, 3.4 ± 0.4 kg and 3.5 ± 0.6 kg, respectively. The control group had the highest average pain score of 5.5 (4.5-5.8) compared to the intervention groups with median pain score (NP: 3.3 [1.3-4.3] and (NNP: 4.3 [3.1-5.1], respectively). NPs had significantly lower pain scores (P = 0.023) and reduced total crying time (P = 0.019) at all stages of the circumcision compared to those given NNPs and controls. Conclusion: This study showed that NPs were superior to NNPs in providing additional pain control during male neonatal circumcision.

Identifying a Basket of Surgical Procedures to Standardize Global Surgical Metrics: An International Delphi Study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to define a globally applicable list of surgical procedures, or "basket," which could represent a health system's capacity to provide surgical care and standardize global surgical measurement. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Six indicators have been proposed to assess access to safe, affordable, timely surgical and anesthesia care, with a focus on laparotomy, cesarean section, and treatment of open fracture. However, comparability, particularly for these procedures, has been limited by a lack of definitional clarity and their overly broad scope. METHODS: We conducted a 3 round international expert Delphi exercise between April and June 2019 using REDCap to identify a set of procedures representative of surgical capacity. To be included, procedures had to be important for treating common conditions, well-defined, and impactful (ie, well-recognized clinical or functional benefit). Procedures were eliminated or prioritized in each round, and those noted as "extremely" or "very important" by ≥50% of respondents in round 3 were included in the final "basket." RESULTS: Altogether 331 respondents from 78 countries participated in the Delphi process. A final basket of 32 procedures representing disease categories in trauma, cancer, congenital anomalies, maternal/reproductive health, aging, and infection were identified for inclusion to assess surgical capacity. CONCLUSIONS: This surgical basket facilitates a more standardized assessment of a country's surgical system. Further testing and refinement will likely be needed, but this basket can be used immediately to guide ongoing monitoring and evaluation of global surgery capacities to improve and strengthen surgery and anesthesia care.

Online action planning forums to develop a roadmap to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of global children's surgical care.

PURPOSE: We aimed to understand the challenges facing children's surgical care providers globally and realistic interventions to mitigate the catastrophic impact of COVID-19 on children's surgery. METHODS: Two online Action Planning Forums (APFs) were organized by the Global Initiative for Children's Surgery (GICS) with a geographically diverse panel representing four children's surgical, anesthesia, and nursing subspecialties. Qualitative analysis was performed to identify codes, themes, and subthemes. RESULTS: The most frequently reported challenges were delayed access to care for children; fear among the public and patients; unavailability of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE); diversion of resources toward COVID-19 care; and interruption in student and trainee hands-on education. To address these challenges, panelists recommended human resource and funding support to minimize backlog; setting up international, multi-center studies for systematic data collection specifically for children; providing online educational opportunities for trainees and students in the form of large and small group discussions; developing best practice guidelines; and, most importantly, adapting solutions to local needs. CONCLUSION: Identification of key challenges and interventions to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global children's surgery via an objective, targeted needs assessment serves as an essential first step. Key interventions in these areas are underway.

Is Global Pediatric Surgery a Good Investment?

Investing in surgery has been highlighted as integral to strengthening overall health systems and increasing economic prosperity in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). The provision of surgical care in LMICs not only affects economies on a macro-level, but also impacts individual families within communities at a microeconomic level. Given that children represent 50% of the population in LMICs and the burden of unmet surgical needs in these areas is high, investing pediatric-specific components of surgical and anesthesia care is needed. Implementation efforts for pediatric surgical care include incorporating surgery-specific priorities into the global child health initiatives, improving global health financing for scale-up activities for children, increasing financial risk protection mechanisms for families of children with surgical needs, and including comprehensive pediatric surgical models of care into country-level plans.

Formal saline versus honey as escharotic in the conservative management of major omphaloceles.

BACKGROUND: The use of honey as an escharotic agent in the conservative management of omphalocele major has not been widely explored in spite of its proven benefits in chronic wound management. We explored the use of local honey as an escharotic agent by comparing its use with 2.5% formal saline in the conservative management of major omphaloceles at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2009, 43 consecutive newborns with intact omphalocele major were alternately assigned into either Honey (H) or formal saline (FS) group. The membrane cover of each omphalocele was painted with the allotted group agent once every 48 h. The occurrence of faecal fistulas, rupture of eschar, intestinal obstruction as well as the mean duration of full wound healing, infection rates and overall mortality rates were compiled for the two groups. RESULTS: Eighteen newborns were assigned to the FS group while 25 others were prospectively enrolled into the H group. The age, sex and weight of newborns in both groups at presentation were comparable. Three omphaloceles (16.7%) ruptured and eviscerated among the FS group during the study while 1 (4%) of these occurred in the H group. Four (22.2%) cases of faecal fistula occurred in the FS group while none was recorded in the H group. One (5.6%) patient in the FS group developed small bowel stricture. This was not recorded in the honey group. Overall, there were 8 (44.4%) complications in the FS group and 1 (4%) in the H group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups concerning the occurrence of fistulae, sac rupture or bowel stricture. However, overall number of complications was statistically more in the FS group when compared to the H group (P < 0.05). Wounds in the H group healed within a mean period of 34.4 ± 4.9 days while those in the FS group healed within a mean period of 45.7 ± 6.8 days P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Honey is a good escharotics agent in the conservative management of major omphaloceles. Honey promotes faster healing and unlike 2.5% formal saline, is not significantly associated with faecal fistulas, rupture or bowel stricture.

Factors influencing waiting time in hypospadias repair surgery.

AIMS: Hypospadias is a common congenital anomaly of the urethra and phallus, which is not life threatening. It is thus less prioritised in a resource-limited setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management of hypospadias by our paediatric surgery unit and determine the factors affecting the delay between presentation and surgical repair while proffering possible solutions to such delay in hypospadias repair surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all hypospadias repair surgeries carried out by our paediatric surgery unit over a 38-month period, evaluating the period between presentation and first surgery for each patient. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Released 2011, Armonk, NY, USA). Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables and P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In 38 months, 47 operations for hypospadias were carried out on 42 boys. Thirty-seven patients (88.1%) had >3 months delay to surgery. The most frequent contributory factor to delay was unavailable theatre space (13 patients, 31%). Surgical outcome was good in only 16 patients (44%). Of the 16 patients with good outcome, 10 (63%) were operated between the ages of 2-4 years (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple factors are responsible for delays in carrying out hypospadias surgery in resource-limited environments, notably securing a functional operating theatre suite in the light of more urgent conditions. To combat these delays, we recommend having dedicated hypospadias repair sessions and surgeons dedicated to hypospadias repair. Hypospadias outreach camps are also proposed.

Global Initiative for Children's Surgery (GICS) Pediatric Trauma Care Initiative: A Call for a Comprehensive Approach to a Global Problem.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma is a major problem which has a significant health, social, and economic impact. Particularly, pediatric trauma carries substantial mortality and morbidity. This is a great concern for subspecialized general and pediatric surgeons. Therefore, a global initiative for pediatric trauma care is warranted and should be initiated. AIM: The international association "Global Initiative for Children's Surgery" (GICS) would like to propose and organize a children's trauma care (CTC) initiative. This initiative should comprehensively address pediatric trauma management globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiative seeks to achieve a structured cooperation and collaboration with respective sister organizations and local stakeholders. METHODS: The initiative will address these relevant aspects: 1. first aid; 2. prehospital primary trauma care; 3. hospital primary trauma care; 4. advanced care (ATLS); 5. diagnostic facilities; 6. operation room (OR) equipment; 7. specialized surgical services; 8. rehabilitation; 9. registry, research, and auditing; 10. specialization in pediatric trauma; 11. capacity and confidence building in pediatric trauma; 12. PREVENTION: The GICS CTC provided activities have been recorded and evaluated in a structured manner. This statement paper is based on data of a narrative review as well as expert opinions. RESULTS: The Trauma Working Group of GICS provided specialized trauma prevention leaflets available for translation to different languages. A one-day children's primary trauma course has been designed to be delivered at the physical GICS meetings. Exercising advocacy, the group addressed several meetings on prevention of pediatric trauma, which included the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) (2020), GICS IVth meeting in Johannesburg (2020), Norwich (UK) Joint SPRINT Symposium on Pediatric Surgery for Pediatricians (2021), the second online Pan African Pediatric Surgical Association (PAPSA) meeting (2021), the seventh World Congress of the World Federation of Associations of Pediatric Surgeons (WOFAPS) in Prague (2022), and GICS pediatric trauma webinar (2023). Additionally, the working group participated in the preparations of a pediatric trauma module for the World Health Organization (WHO) and published several related studies. The contents of the selected articles added relevant information to the categories stated above. CONCLUSIONS: The CTC initiative of GICS is proposed as a mean to address pediatric trauma comprehensively through a process of collaboration and advocacy with existing organizations to achieve awareness, health education, prevention, health, and training. Further, it will support the provision of suitable facilities to health institutions. The establishment of a specialization in pediatric trauma is encouraged. GICS CTC initiative aims to improve pediatric trauma care in LMICs by developing injury prevention strategies; optimizing the use of locally available resources; obtaining commitment by LMICs governments; improvement in all fields of hospital care; improvements in infrastructure, education and training, and attention to data registry and research.

A Prospective Epidemiological Survey of Paediatric Trauma in Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Trauma is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. There is a need for development and provision of efficient paediatric trauma services based on adequate information and funding which are lacking in low- and middle-income countries. AIMS: This study was carried out to assess the scale of the problem, identify the most common causes of trauma in Pan African Paediatric Surgical Association (PAPSA) zone and to define the limiting factors for provision of the necessary services required to reduce the potential mortality and disability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected through an electronic form sent out in PAPSA platform. Members were requested to provide prospective data on all paediatric major trauma admitted to or seen at their health facilities between the beginning of April 2019 and the end of June 2020. Hospital location, child's age, gender, type of injury, mechanism of injury, severity, initial management, method of transport, time to arrive to hospital, availability of surgical specialities, length of hospital stay and injury outcome were analysed. RESULTS: There were 531 entries. The mean age was 3.53 years and median age 1.34 years. Male-to-female ratio was 2:1. The leading causes for injuries were falls 194 (36.53%) and motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) 176 (33.15%) followed by obstetrical 42 (7.9%), thermal 27 (5.1%) and domestic injuries 22 (4.1%). The most common injuries were limb fractures 181 (34.1%) and traumatic brain injury 111 (20.9%). Public and private transport were used in 313 (58.9%), while ambulance service was used in only 54 (10.1%). Distances to a health facility varied between 1 and 157 km. 70.2% of cases did not receive any primary care, while definitive care was received in 95.5% of the cases. Outcome was full recovery in 90.6% of patients, morbidity in 8.1% and a mortality rate of 1.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the injuries were in the under 5-year age group. The two main causes of trauma in children in this study were the falls from height and MVCs. Long distance travels to reach health-care facilities were noticeable in this study, together with substantial lack of adequate ambulance facilities and shortage in necessary subspecialty services such as neurosurgical, orthopaedics and rehabilitation. Implementing proposed recommendations can reduce the burden.

Erratum to 'Exploring the cost-effectiveness of high versus low perioperative fraction of inspired oxygen in the prevention of surgical site infections among abdominal surgery patients in three low- and middle-income countries' [BJA Open 7 (2023) 100207].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.bjao.2023.100207.].

Erratum to "Exploring the cost-effectiveness of high versus low perioperative fraction of inspired oxygen in the prevention of surgical site infections among abdominal surgery patients in three low- and middle-income countries" [BJA Open 7 (2023) 100207].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.bjao.2023.100207.].