Advances in pediatric anesthesia services over the past 10 years in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa.

INTRODUCTION: To improve and maintain quality and safety in anesthesia, standards have been proposed regarding human resources, facilities and equipment, medications and intravenous fluids, monitoring, and the conduct of anesthesia. Compliance with these standards remains a challenge in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and results in high morbidity and mortality particularly in children. This aim of this study was to assess the progress made in improving the pediatric anesthesia infrastructures, human resources, education, medications, and equipment in French-speaking SSA over the past 10 years (2013-2022). METHODS: This is a descriptive, multicenter, cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection, conducted from September 1 to November 5, 2023. Comparative data from 2012 to 2022 were collected through an online survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 12 countries out of 14. The number of hospitals providing pediatric surgery and anesthesia rose from 94 in 2012 to 142 in 2022 (+51%). The total number of physician anesthesiologists rose from 293 (0.1 physician anesthesiologists/100 000 inhabitants) in 2012 to 597 (0.2 physician anesthesiologists/100 000 inhabitants) in 2022 (+103.7%). Five (0.006 physician anesthesiologists/100 000 children) had completed a fellowship in pediatric anesthesia and intensive care in 2012, and 15 (0.01 physician anesthesiologists/100 000 children) in 2022 (+200%). Five physician anesthesiologists had an exclusive pediatric anesthesia practice in 2012, whereas they were 32 in 2022 (+540%). There is no specialized training in pediatric anesthesia and intensive care in any of these countries. Halothane was always available in 81.5% of the hospitals in 2012, and in 50.4% of the hospitals in 2022. Sevoflurane was always available in 5% of the hospitals in 2012, and in 36.2% in 2022. Morphine was always available in 32.2% in 2012, whereas it was available in 52.9% of them in 2022. Pediatric pulse oximeter sensors were available in 36% of the hospitals in 2012, and in 63.4% in 2022. Capnography was available in 5.3% of the hospitals in 2012, and in 48% in 2022. CONCLUSION: Progress have been made over the last 10 years in French-speaking SSA to improve infrastructures, human resources, education, medications, and equipment for pediatric anesthesia in French-speaking SSA. However, major efforts must be continued. Standards adapted to the local context should be formulated.

Determining the Minimum Dataset for Surgical Patients in Africa: A Delphi Study.

BACKGROUND: It is often difficult for clinicians in African low- and middle-income countries middle-income countries to access useful aggregated data to identify areas for quality improvement. The aim of this Delphi study was to develop a standardised perioperative dataset for use in a registry. METHODS: A Delphi method was followed to achieve consensus on the data points to include in a minimum perioperative dataset. The study consisted of two electronic surveys, followed by an online discussion and a final electronic survey (four Rounds). RESULTS: Forty-one members of the African Perioperative Research Group participated in the process. Forty data points were deemed important and feasible to include in a minimum dataset for electronic capturing during the perioperative workflow by clinicians. A smaller dataset consisting of eight variables to define risk-adjusted perioperative mortality rate was also described. CONCLUSIONS: The minimum perioperative dataset can be used in a collaborative effort to establish a resource accessible to African clinicians in improving quality of care.

Anesthetic management and morbidity in thoracic surgery: Results of the first series in Togo.

INTRODUCTION: Thoracic surgery is a specialty with specific anesthetic management requirements. This is a recent specialty in Togo, with a multi-skilled anesthetic team. AIM: To describe the anesthetic management and morbidity of thoracic surgery. METHODS: A descriptive, prospective and observational study was conducted on a cohort of patients who underwent a thoracic surgery between June 1 and August 31, 2022, at the national referral hospital in Lomé. The study examined pre-anesthetic assessment, surgical, anesthetic, and postoperative data. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with a mean age of 40 ±13 years were included. The surgery was elective in 69% of cases. The anesthetic assessment showed anemia (64%) and a reduced forced expiratory volume in one second (60%) All patients were operated on under general anesthesia with controlled ventilation, including 64% of one-lung ventilation. Surgical procedures included pleural decortication (28%), pericardial drainage (16%), pneumonectomy (16%), and pulmonary lobectomy (12%). Twenty-three patients (92%) experienced intraoperative complications, including arterial hypotension (80%), shock (56%), and hypoxia (24%). Multimodal analgesia including paracetamol (100%), nefopam (92%), morphine (76%), paravertebral analgesia (20%), and thoracic epidural analgesia (8%), was used postoperatively. Seventeen patients (68%) experienced postoperative complications, including anemia (20%), pneumonia (12%), and parietal infection (12%). Three patients (12%) died. CONCLUSION: General anesthesia with, one-lung ventilation in most cases, was the anesthetic technique in thoracic surgery. Complications, mainly cardiovascular, occurred intraoperatively, with high postoperative mortality.

Epidemiology of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury at Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital of Lomé in Togo.

INTRODUCTION: Severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (pTBI) is a leading cause of disability and death in children worldwide. Children victims of pTBI are admitted to the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital (SOUH) at the multipurpose Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We aimed in this study to describe the epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes of pTBI patients admitted in this ICU. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted at the ICU of SOUH of Lome. It was a retrospective study based on patients' records from 0 to 15 years old admitted during the period from 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2018 (5 years and 6 months). RESULTS: We recorded 91 pTBI included in the study. The mean age was 7.7 ± 4.3 years. The male predominated with 67.0%. Road traffic accidents were the most common cause (79.1%), followed by falls (19.8%). The average pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale (pGCS) was 6.6 ± 1.4, with a mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 23.1 ± 8.4. The most common brain injuries found in the CT scan were brain edema (72.9%), skull fracture (69.5%), and brain contusion (55.9%). The average duration under mechanical ventilation was 2.1 ± 2.9 days, and the mean ICU stay was 4.9 ± 4.4 days. Overall mortality was 31.9% (29 cases). Factors significantly associated (p < 0.05) with death were hypotension (51.7%), anemia (43.1%), hyperthermia (46.7%), GCS < 6 (64%), and ISS > 20 (48.9%). CONCLUSION: pTBI mortality remains high in SOUH ICU. Factors associated with mortality were secondary systemic insults, worse GCS < 6, and ISS > 20.

Perioperative patient outcomes in the African Surgical Outcomes Study: a 7-day prospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is a need to increase access to surgical treatments in African countries, but perioperative complications represent a major global health-care burden. There are few studies describing surgical outcomes in Africa. METHODS: We did a 7-day, international, prospective, observational cohort study of patients aged 18 years and older undergoing any inpatient surgery in 25 countries in Africa (the African Surgical Outcomes Study). We aimed to recruit as many hospitals as possible using a convenience sampling survey, and required data from at least ten hospitals per country (or half the surgical centres if there were fewer than ten hospitals) and data for at least 90% of eligible patients from each site. Each country selected one recruitment week between February and May, 2016. The primary outcome was in-hospital postoperative complications, assessed according to predefined criteria and graded as mild, moderate, or severe. Data were presented as median (IQR), mean (SD), or n (%), and compared using t tests. This study is registered on the South African National Health Research Database (KZ_2015RP7_22) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03044899). FINDINGS: We recruited 11 422 patients (median 29 [IQR 10-70]) from 247 hospitals during the national cohort weeks. Hospitals served a median population of 810 000 people (IQR 200 000-2 000 000), with a combined number of specialist surgeons, obstetricians, and anaesthetists totalling 0·7 (0·2-1·9) per 100 000 population. Hospitals did a median of 212 (IQR 65-578) surgical procedures per 100 000 population each year. Patients were younger (mean age 38·5 years [SD 16·1]), with a lower risk profile (American Society of Anesthesiologists median score 1 [IQR 1-2]) than reported in high-income countries. 1253 (11%) patients were infected with HIV, 6504 procedures (57%) were urgent or emergent, and the most common procedure was caesarean delivery (3792 patients, 33%). Postoperative complications occurred in 1977 (18·2%, 95% CI 17·4-18·9]) of 10 885 patients. 239 (2·1%) of 11 193 patients died, 225 (94·1%) after the day of surgery. Infection was the most common complication (1156 [10·2%] of 10 970 patients), of whom 112 (9·7%) died. INTERPRETATION: Despite a low-risk profile and few postoperative complications, patients in Africa were twice as likely to die after surgery when compared with the global average for postoperative deaths. Initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments in Africa therefore should be coupled with improved surveillance for deteriorating physiology in patients who develop postoperative complications, and the resources necessary to achieve this objective. FUNDING: Medical Research Council of South Africa.

[Treatment of patients with extremity traumas occurred during peacekeeping missions in Northern Mali]. / Prise en charge des lésions traumatiques de membres au cours des missions de pacification au Nord du Mali.

In February 2016, the camp of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), in Kidal, was attacked and many people were wounded and killed. This study aims to determine the nature of extremity traumas and to describe their treatment. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of extremity traumas in the victims of the attack on the camp of MINIUSMA in Kidal. The parameters studied were age, sex, admission delay, seat of the lesions and type of emergency surgical treatment performed. The study involved 60 wounded patients: 57(95%) men and 3(5%) women. The average age of patients was 28.9 years; 127 lesions were identified, of which 109 (85.8%) on the limbs. Clinical and radiological examinations revealed 32 (29.3%) musculocutaneous disruptions, 11 (10.1%) open fractures, 15 (13.7%) burns, 8 (7.3%) vascular and nervous injuries and 7 sprains. Severely wounded patients underwent resuscitation upon admission. Four of them underwent emergency surgery. The remaining wounded patients underwent surgery after restoration of hemodynamic stability with resuscitation. Six patients (10%) were transferred to a Level 3 Hospital for further treatment. Four wounded patients (6.7%) died. Extremity traumas are frequent but not life-threatening when isolated. They have a higher risk of infection and gangrene which can result in amputation.

[Anesthesiological aspects and complications of intracranial meningiomas operated at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center, Lomé: about 21 cases]. / Les méningiomes intracrâniens opérés au CHU Sylvanus Olympio de Lomé: aspects anesthésiologiques et complications à propos de 21 cas.

This study aimed to point to both the anesthesiological aspects and the perioperative complications of intracranial meningiomas operated at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center, Lomé. We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of patients with intracranial meningiomas undergoing surgery over the period December 2010-December 2015 (5 years) at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center, Lomé. Out of 46 patients operated fo brain tumors, 21 (45.6%) had meningioma. The average age was 49 ±20 years, with a male predominance (52.4%) and a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.1. Patients were classified according to ASA classification: 16 patients were classified as ASA II, 4 patients as ASA III and 1 patient as ASA IV. Patients underwent total intravenous anesthesia using hypnotic agent such as propofol (100%) and fentanyl (76.2%), which was the most available opioid. Perioperative complications were: bleeding, (mean blood loss: 1750 ±584 ml), hypotension (mean arterial pressure (MAP) < 60 mmHg) in 10 (47.6%) patients; hemorrhagic shock in 2 (9.5%) patients, cardiovascular arrest: 01 (4.7%) patient successfully resuscitated. Postoperative complications were: convulsions in 5 (23.8%) cases, hyperthermia in 4 (19%) cases, hemorrhagic shock in 2 (9.5%) cases, death in 2 (9.5%) cases. Perioperative morbidity and mortality associated with intracranial meningioma surgery at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center, Lomé remains high. Improvement of technical equipment and early consultation should reduce these complications.

[Epidural analgesia in 20 parturients at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center in Lomé (Togo)]. / Pratique de l'analgésie péridurale auprès de 20 parturientes au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sylvanus Olympio de Lomé (Togo).

We conducted a prospective and descriptive study on epidural analgesia (EA) at the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center in Lomé from February to June 2014. After taking consent from pregnant women selected by simple random sampling and in the absence of contraindication for anesthesia (pre-anesthetic assessment performed in their 8th month of pregnancy), women were enrolled. Out of 29 selected women, 20 (69%) underwent EA. The average age was 30.6 ± 6.6 years: primiparas 35%, multiparas 50%, Obese women (BMI> 30)25%. Average number of punctures: 1.2 ± 0.5; blood reflux into the catheter: 5%; dural puncture: 0. Delay for anesthesia induction: 8.5 ± 2, 2mn. Mean dosage of 0.125% isobaric bupivacaine: 28.8 ± 8ml; digital scale at T10min <3 for all parturient women. Motor block: 0. Hypotension: 1 case (5%). Mode of delivery: vaginal births 19 (95%), cesarean section 1 (5%). Respiratory distress in the newborn: 0. Level of satisfaction: 9,8 ± 0.5 / 10. Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center in Lomé provides obstetric EA. While awaiting its availability to all parturient women based on human and material resources, the use of epidural analgesia in the presence of medical indications would be a first step.

Extremity injuries in soldiers during the conflict in Mali: experience of Togo Level two Hospital.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyse war-related and non-war-related extremity injuries in soldiers in the Mali conflict. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was performed from 1 May 1 to 31 December 2014. It concerned extremity injuries in soldiers treated at Togo Level 2 Hospital. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients with an average age of 31.19 years were assessed. Among them, 50 were admitted after war injury and 29 from nonwar injury. Most war-related injuries were due to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) (36 %); road traffic accidents (51.72 %) were the main mechanism of non-war injury. A total of 125 injuries were analysed. Limb fractures were identified in 37 patients (29.6 %), and 22 cases (59.46 %) were open fractures. Twenty-six (20.8 %) patients had soft tissue wounds. The other injuries were sprains (18.4 %), muscle contusions (15.2 %), dislocations (8.8 %), traumatic amputations (4 %) and burns (3.2 %). Surgical debridement and external fixator application were the most frequently performed surgical procedures. Thirty-nine per cent of patients were evacuated to a level 3 hospital for better care. CONCLUSION: The severity of injuries and their rapid treatment require orthopaedic surgeons to have high levels of surgical experience and knowledge pertaining to military or disaster surgical doctrine.

Post-operative pain management in paediatric surgery at Sylvanus Olympio University Teaching Hospital, Togo.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate pain management in paediatric surgery at Sylvanus Olympio University Teaching Hospital, Lome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at Sylvanus Olympio teaching hospital from 1 January to 30 June 2012. Data collected include: demography, type of surgery, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) classification, anaesthetic protocol, analgesia technique, post-operative complications and cost of analgesia. RESULTS: The study includes 106 post-operative children. Abdominal surgery was performed in 41.5% and orthopaedic surgery in 31.1%. A total of 75% of patients were classified ASA 1. General anaesthesia (GA) was performed in 88%. Anaesthetists supervised post-operative care in 21.7% cases. Multimodal analgesia was used in every case and 12% of patients received a regional block. The most frequently unwanted effects of analgesics used were nausea and/or vomiting in 12.3%. At H24, child under 7 years have more pain assessment than those from 7 to 15 years (46% vs 24%) and this difference was statistically significant (chi-square = 4.7598; P = 0.0291 < 0.05). The average cost of peri-operative analgesia under loco regional analgesia (LRA) versus GA during the first 48 h post-operative was US $23 versus $46. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that post-operative pain management in paediatric surgery is often not well controlled and paediatric loco regional analgesia technique is under practiced in sub Saharan Africa.

Pratique de l'analgésie péridurale auprès de 20 parturientes au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sylvanus Olympio de Lomé (Togo)

Etude prospective et descriptive sur la pratique de l'analgésie péridurale (APD) obstétricale au CHU Sylvanus Olympio (CHU SO) de Lomé. Etude menée de février à juin 2014. Après accord des gestantes choisies au hasard et en l'absence de contre-indication à l'issue de la consultation d'anesthésie, faite au 8ème mois de la grossesse, des femmes ont été retenues pour l'étude. Sur 29 gestantes retenues, 20 (69%) ont bénéficiées de l'APD. Age moyen 30,6±6,6 ans, primigestes : 35%, multipares 50%, Obèses (BMI>30): 25%. Nombre moyen de ponctions: 1,2±0,5; reflux de sang dans le cathéter: 5%, brèche dure-mérienne : 0. Délai moyen d'installation: 8,5 ±2,2mn. Quantité moyenne de bupivacaine isobare à 0,125%: 28,8±8ml; Echelle Numérique à T10min < 3 pour toutes les parturientes. Bloc moteur: 0. Hypotension: 1cas (5%). Mode d'accouchement: voie basse: 19 (95%), césarienne: 1 (5%). Détresse respiratoire à la naissance du nouveau né: 0. Note de satisfaction: 9,8±0,5 /10. L'APD obstétricale est possible au CHU Sylvanus Olympio de Lomé. En attendant sa vulgarisation à toutes les parturientes par la disponibilité des moyens humains et matériels, la réaliser pour ses indications médicales serait un premier pas