The global challenges of surgical congenital anomalies: Evidence, models, and lessons

The treatment of congenital anomalies (structural birth defects) is common to all the surgical sub-specialties dealing with children. Globally more than 90 % of all babies born with a congenital anomaly are born in middle-and-low-income countries where there is often limited access to needed surgical care. Challenges include lacks of early identification, registry and surveillance systems, missing referral pathways, shortage of trained surgical expertise and insufficient surgical infrastructure. Poverty, transportation logistics, financial constraints and social stigma are also serious barriers for families. There is, however, growing recognition of the priority to expand services, encouraged by the World Health Organization and other global players, and examples of successful models of care. Registry programs are growing, especially in Latin America. The Ponseti method of clubfoot care has been revolutionary on a global scale. The role of not-for-profit non-governmental-organizations has been instrumental in fundraising, training and logistical support as exemplified in the care of oro-facial clefts. Specialized "niche" hospitals are providing needed sub-specialist expertise. The way forward includes the need for effective partnerships, innovative methods to distribute care out from referral hospitals into the districts and the development of national plans embedded in national health policy.

Correction: Academic global surgical competencies: A modified Delphi consensus study

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002102.].

Academic global surgical competencies: A modified Delphi consensus study

Academic global surgery is a rapidly growing field that aims to improve access to safe surgical care worldwide. However, no universally accepted competencies exist to inform this developing field. A consensus-based approach, with input from a diverse group of experts, is needed to identify essential competencies that will lead to standardization in this field. A task force was set up using snowball sampling to recruit a broad group of content and context experts in global surgical and perioperative care. A draft set of competencies was revised through the modified Delphi process with two rounds of anonymous input. A threshold of 80% consensus was used to determine whether a competency or sub-competency learning objective was relevant to the skillset needed within academic global surgery and perioperative care. A diverse task force recruited experts from 22 countries to participate in both rounds of the Delphi process. Of the n = 59 respondents completing both rounds of iterative polling, 63% were from low- or middle-income countries. After two rounds of anonymous feedback, participants reached consensus on nine core competencies and 31 sub-competency objectives. The greatest consensus pertained to competency in ethics and professionalism in global surgery (100%) with emphasis on justice, equity, and decolonization across multiple competencies. This Delphi process, with input from experts worldwide, identified nine competencies which can be used to develop standardized academic global surgery and perioperative care curricula worldwide. Further work needs to be done to validate these competencies and establish assessments to ensure that they are taught effectively.

Epidemiology and treatment outcomes in pediatric patients with post-injection paralysis

Background

Post-injection paralysis (PIP) of the sciatic nerve is an iatrogenic paralysis that occurs after an intramuscular injection, with resultant foot deformity and disability. This study investigates the epidemiology and treatment of PIP in Uganda.

Methods

Health records of pediatric patients surgically treated for PIP at the CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital from 2013 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Pre-operative demographics, perioperative management, and outcomes were coded and analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square for categorical variables, and linear models for continuous variables.

Results

Four-hundred and two pediatric patients underwent 491 total procedures. Eighty-three percent of reported injection indications were for febrile illness. Twenty-five percent of reported injections explicitly identified quinine as the agent. Although ten different procedures were performed, achilles tendon lengthening, triple arthrodesis, tibialis posterior and anterior tendon transfers composed 83% of all conducted surgeries. Amongst five different foot deformities, equinus and varus were most likely to undergo soft tissue and bony procedures, respectively (p=0.0223). Ninteen percent of patients received two or more surgeries. Sixty-seven percent of patients achieved a plantigrade outcome; 13.61% had not by the end of the study period; 19.3% had unreported outcomes. Those who lived further from the facility had longer times between the inciting injection and initial hospital presentation (p=0.0216) and were more likely to be lost to follow-up (p=0.0042).

Conclusion

PIP is a serious iatrogenic disability. Prevention strategies are imperative, as over 400 children required 491 total surgical procedures within just six years at one hospital in Uganda.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05664-4.

Unifying Children's Surgery and Anesthesia Stakeholders Across Institutions and Clinical Disciplines: Challenges and Solutions from Uganda

BACKGROUND

There is a significant unmet need for children's surgical care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Multidisciplinary collaboration is required to advance the surgical and anesthesia care of children's surgical conditions such as congenital conditions, cancer and injuries. Nonetheless, there are limited examples of this process from LMICs. We describe the development and 3-year outcomes following a 2015 stakeholders' meeting in Uganda to catalyze multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration.

METHODS

The stakeholders' meeting was a daylong conference held in Kampala with local, regional and international collaborators in attendance. Multiple clinical specialties including surgical subspecialists, pediatric anesthesia, perioperative nursing, pediatric oncology and neonatology were represented. Key thematic areas including infrastructure, training and workforce retention, service delivery, and research and advocacy were addressed, and short-term objectives were agreed upon. We reported the 3-year outcomes following the meeting by thematic area.

RESULTS

The Pediatric Surgical Foundation was developed following the meeting to formalize coordination between institutions. Through international collaborations, operating room capacity has increased. A pediatric general surgery fellowship has expanded at Mulago and Mbarara hospitals supplemented by an international fellowship in multiple disciplines. Coordinated outreach camps have continued to assist with training and service delivery in rural regional hospitals.

CONCLUSION

Collaborations between disciplines, both within LMICs and with international partners, are required to advance children's surgery. The unification of stakeholders across clinical disciplines and institutional partnerships can facilitate increased children's surgical capacity. Such a process may prove useful in other LMICs with a wide range of children's surgery stakeholders.

Paediatric musculoskeletal disease in Kumi District, Uganda: a cross-sectional survey

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to estimate the burden of musculoskeletal disease among children treated in Kumi District, Uganda, to inform training, capacity-building efforts, and resource allocation.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study by reviewing the musculoskeletal (MSK) clinic and community outreach logs for children (age < 18 years) seen at Kumi Hospital in Kumi, Uganda, between January 2013 and December 2015. For each patient, we recorded the age, sex, diagnosis, and treatment recommendation.

RESULTS

Of the 4852 children, the most common diagnoses were gluteal and quadriceps contractures (29.4% (95% CI 28.1-30.7%), 96% of which were gluteal fibrosis), post-injection paralysis (12.7% (95% CI 11.8-13.6%)), infection (10.5% (95% CI 9.7-11.4%)), trauma (6.9% (95% CI 6.2-7.6%)), cerebral palsy (6.9% (95% CI 6.2-7.7%)), and clubfoot (4.3% (95% CI 3.8-4.9%)). Gluteal fibrosis, musculoskeletal infections, and angular knee deformities create a large surgical burden with 88.1%, 59.1%, and 54.1% of patients seen with these diagnoses referred for surgery, respectively. Post-injection paralysis, clubfoot, and cerebral palsy were treated non-operatively in over 75% of cases.

CONCLUSION

While population-based estimates of disease burden and resource utilization are needed, this data offers insight into burden of musculoskeletal disease for this region of Sub-Saharan Africa. We estimate that 50% of the surgical conditions could be prevented with policy changes and education regarding injection practices and early care for traumatic injuries, clubfeet, and infection. This study highlights a need to increase capacity to care for specific musculoskeletal conditions, including gluteal fibrosis, post-injection paralysis, infection, and trauma in the paediatric population of Uganda.

Community-based rehabilitation and orthopaedic surgery for children with motor impairment in an African context

PURPOSE

To report on the development of a program to treat and rehabilitate children with chronic orthopaedic disabilities in the sub-Saharan African context incorporating orthopaedic reconstructive surgery within community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programs.

METHOD

Practice of rehabilitation descriptive report.

RESULTS

In a six-year period between 1996 and 2002, a comprehensive project addressing the rehabilitative and orthopaedic surgery needs of children with motor impairments was established in Uganda. Using the principles of CBR, more than 5000 children annually were assisted with 875 receiving orthopaedic reconstructive surgery. CBR proved a powerful tool in creating awareness and facilitating access to care amongst rural populations living in the circumstances of extreme poverty. By networking the services of several non-governmental development organizations, government agencies, service providers and community groups, a large number of children could be reached in an integrated way. The 'recipe for success' of rehabilitation required access to and integration of all of the following ingredients: CBR, a transportation system, rehabilitation hostels, physiotherapy, orthopaedic surgery, and orthopaedic appliance technology.

CONCLUSIONS

CBR played a vital role in ensuring access to rehabilitative care and the success of orthopaedic reconstructive surgery.

A formative evaluation of the potential role of nurse practitioners in a central London HIV outpatient clinic

In-house audit demonstrated that 49% (173/352) of patients attending routine HIV outpatient care are asymptomatic and have needs that could potentially be met by other health care professionals. We therefore evaluated the potential development and acceptability of nurse practitioner roles in contributing to HIV outpatient care. Data were collected through 26 consultation observations, 25 patient interviews, 2 patient focus groups, 22 provider interviews and 8 provider focus groups. Service users were key members of the evaluation team. With increasing HIV incidence and the change in focus of doctor-patient consultations from acute to chronic disease management, there are concerns about the sustainability of easily available routine HIV outpatient appointments using the same model of care that has prevailed over the past 20 years. Nurse practitioner models of care were considered acceptable for asymptomatic patients, including those who do not have complex issues related to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Key considerations for the role include training, supervision, referral pathways, and a clear understanding of the limitations of nursing practice. There is an emphasis on the need to consider 'new ways of working' throughout the service, rather than merely substituting or transferring clinical roles between professionals. Funding pending, nurse practitioner roles are planned for implementation in late 2004. Evaluation will determine impact on service utilization, health and economic outcomes.

Sexual health clinics for women led by specialist nurses or senior house officers in a central London GUM service: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

To assess the care process and clinical outcomes for two different models of GUM clinic for women: one led by specialist nurses and the other by senior house officers (SHOs).

METHOD

An open randomised controlled trial was carried out in a central London genitourinary medicine (GUM) women's clinic. Of 1172 women telephoning for an appointment, 880 were randomised to provide 169 eligible patients in the specialist nurse arm and 178 in the SHO arm. Of the eligible patients a total of 224 attended their appointment. The clinical records of the randomised women were audited for adequacy of care according to local guidelines. 30 key variables were objectively assessed and recorded on a standard audit form. An overall unitary index score (%) was calculated for each patient. The main variables associated with the outcome of specialist nurse and SHO decision making (diagnostic test request, preliminary diagnosis, and treatment provided) were then analysed independently.

RESULTS

The median documentation audit scores for specialist nurses (n=103) and SHOs (n=121) were 92% and 85% respectively (p<0.0001). The specialist nurses' documentation was significantly (p<0.05) more complete than the SHOs' for five variables: details of menstrual cycle, physical examination, medication instructions given to patients, health promotion discussion, and provision of condoms. Specialist nurses performed equally to the SHOs with regard to requesting the correct diagnostic tests, providing the correct preliminary diagnosis, and providing the correct treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

A model of care using trained GUM nurses working within agreed protocols can provide comprehensive patient care for female patients that is equal to care provided by SHOs. Our results raise important issues regarding advanced GUM nursing education and training, protocol development, and accountability.

A postal survey to identify and describe nurse led clinics in genitourinary medicine services across England

BACKGROUND

Nurses in genitourinary medicine (GUM) services are progressively extending their roles to conduct "comprehensive care" nurse led clinics. In such roles the nurse coordinates the first line, comprehensive care of patients presenting with sexual health conditions and issues.

OBJECTIVES

To identify and describe comprehensive care nurse led clinics in GUM services across England.

METHODS

A postal questionnaire consisting of 17 closed response questions was sent to 209 GUM services across England. A second questionnaire was sent to non-responders to increase the response rate. Data were single entered and analysed using SPSS.

RESULTS

Of the 190 GUM clinic respondents (91% response rate), 44 (23%) reported providing some form of comprehensive care nurse led clinic, 90% of which were initiated since 1995. Key results show staff development featured as the main reason for initiating such services and there was general consistency in the aspects of care undertaken by these nurses. There was evidence of guideline development specific to nurse led care and some patient group direction use for supplying medication. The level of support from medical staff while nurse led clinics were being conducted varied between services. Few services have conducted any audit or research to monitor/evaluate nurse led care. There was little consistency in the clinical experience and educational prerequisites to undertake comprehensive care nurse led clinics. Continuing professional development opportunities also varied between services.

CONCLUSIONS

The steady growth of comprehensive care nurse led clinics indicates that the skills of GUM nurses are being recognised. Nurses working in advanced practice roles now require courses and study days reflecting these changes in practice. Locally agreed practice guidelines can define nursing practice boundaries and ensure accountability, as will the development of patient group directions to supply medication. Monitoring and evaluation of nurse led clinics also require attention.

Patient group directions in nurse-led sexual health clinics

BACKGROUND

This article details an audit of the supply of medications by specialist nurses at a genitourinary medicine clinic.

CONCLUSION

The use of patient group directions resulted in a reduced number of prescriptions being required from doctors, thus saving time for them, the nurses and patients.