A scoping review aims to investigate the disparities faced by African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities regarding access to and the quality of surgical care in high-income countries with universal healthcare. The review seeks to systematically characterize existing literature, highlighting inequities in surgical outcomes linked to systemic barriers. By identifying evidence gaps, this research will […]

The United Nations Global Surgery Learning Hub (SURGhub), launched in June 2023, aims to enhance surgical training for underserved populations. By offering 76 high-quality e-learning courses tailored for low-resource settings, it attracted over 11,451 learners from 190 countries within just 18 months. Remarkably, 55% of users are from low- or lower-middle-income countries, and courses have […]

A novel drug-eluting, biologically absorbable suture from decellularized fish swim bladder significantly enhances wound closure across various tissues. Specifically, necrostatin-1 (nec-1) sutures exhibit superior tensile strength and maintain integrity in extreme pH conditions. The drug-loaded sutures inhibit cell proliferation by 40% and reduce foreign body reactions, with less neovascularization observed compared to controls. These findings […]

A case study on Kyabirwa Surgical Center in rural Uganda reveals that sustainable healthcare models can thrive in low-resource environments. From 2021 to 2023, only 0.4% of the center’s power and 25% of its water came from the town, yielding annual savings of over $6,121. The facility also effectively conserved 93% of collected rainwater and […]

A significant trend toward robotic surgery is evident, especially in urologic procedures and complex surgeries such as hepatectomy and esophagectomy. Despite remaining relevant in colectomy, laparoscopic techniques are declining in most specialties. Open surgery continues to be prevalent, particularly in pancreatic and rectal operations. Projections indicate that by 2026, robotic surgery may surpass laparoscopic approaches […]

An umbrella review of 24 meta-analyses revealed eight treatments that significantly alleviate postoperative ileus. Chewing gum, coffee, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, acupuncture, opioid receptor antagonists, da-cheng-qi-tang, early enteral nutrition, and zusanli point injection therapy improved outcomes. Additionally, opioid receptor antagonists, early enteral nutrition, ERAS, and chewing gum notably shortened postoperative hospital stays. However, […]

A Delphi study involving 261 surgical professionals from 23 countries established a consensus on 29 statements of theatre etiquette, aimed at enhancing professional conduct and communication in operating environments. This initiative addresses the inconsistencies often seen in training newcomers to surgical teams, including medical students and resident trainees. The guidance developed is intended to serve […]

A recent network meta-analysis involving 2042 patients indicates that prehabilitation significantly decreases hospital stay and postoperative complications while enhancing functional recovery. Exercise-based prehabilitation outperformed other strategies for minimizing complications and improving walking distance post-surgery. Multimodal approaches also excelled in improving quality of life and alleviating depressive symptoms before surgery. Gastric cancer patients showed marked benefits […]

Advancements in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery have fostered substantial growth in academic research, particularly after 2019. Analyzing 8,375 publications, the study reveals a surge in productivity and citation impact, with Yonsei University leading contributions. The United States remains dominant in output, while “Surgical Endoscopy” tops volume metrics. Notably, frequent keywords highlight focal areas like robotic and […]

A department-wide prehabilitation program notably reduced 30-day mortality, discharges to post-acute care facilities, and length of stay for high-risk surgical patients. In a study comparing prehabilitation recipients to matched historical controls, mortality decreased from 2.8% to 0.8%, and discharges to care facilities dropped from 12.9% to 8.8%. The benefits of prehabilitation differ by age, with […]