MyMedR

Letter: The State of Cerebrovascular Care in Africa

Tenkorang PO, Awuah WA, Ng JC, Kalmanovich J, Nazir A, Yarlagadda R, et al.

Neurosurgery, 2023 Mar 01;92(3):e72-e73.

PMID: 36700753 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002330

Unheard voices of global surgery - trauma services in sub-Saharan Africa: a correspondence

Mehta A, Wireko AA, Ohenewaa Tenkorang P, Ng JC, Rahman TA, Sikora V, et al.

Int J Surg, 2023 Mar 01;109(3):521-522.

PMID: 36906789 DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000145

Fulltext Calling for continuous surgical support in Ukraine

Wireko AA, Ng JC, David L, Abdul-Rahman T, Sikora V, Isik A

Int J Surg, 2023 Apr 10;110(1):571-3.

PMID: 37026787 DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000000

Embracing robotic surgery in low- and middle-income countries: Potential benefits, challenges, and scope in the future

Mehta A, Cheng Ng J, Andrew Awuah W, Huang H, Kalmanovich J, Agrawal A, et al.

Ann Med Surg (Lond), 2022 Dec;84:104803.

PMID: 36582867 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104803

Robotic surgery has applications in many medical specialties, including urology, general surgery, and surgical oncology. In the context of a widespread resource and personnel shortage in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), the use of robotics in surgery may help to reduce physician burnout, surgical site infections, and hospital stays. However, a lack of haptic feedback and potential socioeconomic factors such as high implementation costs and a lack of trained personnel may limit its accessibility and application. Specific improvements focused on improved financial and technical support to LMICs can help improve access and have the potential to transform the surgical experience for both surgeons and patients in LMICs. This review focuses on the evolution of robotic surgery, with an emphasis on challenges and recommendations to facilitate wider implementation and improved patient outcomes.

Fulltext The impact of natural disasters on healthcare and surgical services in low- and middle-income countries

Salam A, Wireko AA, Jiffry R, Ng JC, Patel H, Zahid MJ, et al.

Ann Med Surg (Lond), 2023 Aug;85(8):3774-3777.

PMID: 37554857 DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000001041

Fulltext Addressing Africa's outrageous neurosurgeons deficit: what could the problem be?

Wireko AA, Tenkorang PO, Ng JC, David L, Yarlagadda R, Abdul-Rahman T, et al.

Int J Surg, 2023 Jun 01;109(6):1808-1809.

PMID: 36927817 DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000048

Fulltext Postoperative mortality in Africa: are there any improvements in the last decade?

Awuah WA, Ng JC, Nazir A, Tenkorang PO, Yarlagadda R, Kalmanovich J, et al.

Int J Surg, 2023 May 01;109(5):1080-1082.

PMID: 36927691 DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000125

Multilevel Pharmacological Effects of Antipsychotics in Potential Glioblastoma Treatment

Awuah WA, Kalmanovich J, Mehta A, Huang H, Abdul-Rahman T, Cheng Ng J, et al.

Curr Top Med Chem, 2023;23(5):389-402.

PMID: 36593538 DOI: 10.2174/1568026623666230102095836

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is a debilitating type of brain cancer with a high mortality rate. Despite current treatment options such as surgery, radiotherapy, and the use of temozolomide and bevacizumab, it is considered incurable. Various methods, such as drug repositioning, have been used to increase the number of available treatments. Drug repositioning is the use of FDA-approved drugs to treat other diseases. This is possible because the drugs used for this purpose have polypharmacological effects. This means that these medications can bind to multiple targets, resulting in multiple mechanisms of action. Antipsychotics are one type of drug used to treat GBM. Antipsychotics are a broad class of drugs that can be further subdivided into typical and atypical classes. Typical antipsychotics include chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, and pimozide. This class of antipsychotics was developed early on and primarily works on dopamine D2 receptors, though it can also work on others. Olanzapine and Quetiapine are examples of atypical antipsychotics, a category that was created later. These medications have a high affinity for serotonin receptors such as 5- HT2, but they can also act on dopamine and H1 receptors. Antipsychotic medications, in the case of GBM, also have other effects that can affect multiple pathways due to their polypharmacological effects. These include NF-B suppression, cyclin deregulation, and -catenin phosphorylation, among others. This review will delve deeper into the polypharmacological, the multiple effects of antipsychotics in the treatment of GBM, and an outlook for the field's future progression.

NeuroVerse: neurosurgery in the era of Metaverse and other technological breakthroughs

Kundu M, Ng JC, Awuah WA, Huang H, Yarlagadda R, Mehta A, et al.

Postgrad Med J, 2023 May 22;99(1170):240-243.

PMID: 36892407 DOI: 10.1093/postmj/qgad002

The tremendous evolution in modern technology has led to a paradigm shift in neurosurgery. The latest advancements such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and mobile applications have been incorporated into neurosurgical practice. NeuroVerse, representing the application of the metaverse in neurosurgery, brings enormous potential to neurology and neurosurgery. Implementation of NeuroVerse could potentially elevate neurosurgical and interventional procedures, enhance medical visits and patient care, and reshape neurosurgical training. However, it is also vital to consider the challenges that may be associated with its implementation, such as privacy issues, cybersecurity breaches, ethical concerns, and widening of existing healthcare inequalities. NeuroVerse adds phenomenal dimensions to the neurosurgical environment for patients, doctors, and trainees, and represents an incomparable advancement in the delivery of medicine. Therefore, more research is needed to encourage widespread use of the metaverse in healthcare, particularly focusing on the areas of morality and credibility. Although the metaverse is expected to expand rapidly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains to be seen whether it represents an emerging technology that will revolutionize our society and healthcare or simply an immature condition of the future.

The African cancer burden: what is the potential role of modern oncology innovation in reducing the continent's rapidly rising mortality?

Awuah WA, Ng JC, Mehta A, Nansubuga EP, Abdul-Rahman T, Kundu M, et al.

Postgrad Med J, 2023 Aug 22;99(1175):941-945.

PMID: 37280156 DOI: 10.1093/postmj/qgad043

With increasing prevalence and an expected rise in disease burden, cancer is a cause of concern for African healthcare. The cancer burden in Africa is expected to rise to 2.1 million new cases per year and 1.4 million deaths annually by the year 2040. Even though efforts are being made to improve the standard of oncology service delivery in Africa, the current state of cancer care is not yet on par with the rise in the cancer burden. Cutting-edge technologies and innovations are being developed across the globe to augment the battle against cancer; however, many of them are beyond the reach of African countries. Modern oncology innovations targeted to ward Africa would be promising to address the high cancer mortality rates. The innovations should be cost-effective and widely accessible to tackle the rapidly rising mortality rate on the African continent. Though it may seem promising, a multidisciplinary approach is required to overcome the challenges associated with the development and implementation of modern oncology innovations in Africa.

Fulltext Acute abdomen in the immunocompromised patient: WSES, SIS-E, WSIS, AAST, and GAIS guidelines

Coccolini F, Improta M, Sartelli M, Rasa K, Sawyer R, Coimbra R, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2021 08 09;16(1):40.

PMID: 34372902 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-021-00380-1

Immunocompromised patients are a heterogeneous and diffuse category frequently presenting to the emergency department with acute surgical diseases. Diagnosis and treatment in immunocompromised patients are often complex and must be multidisciplinary. Misdiagnosis of an acute surgical disease may be followed by increased morbidity and mortality. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of surgical disease occur; these patients may seek medical assistance late because their symptoms are often ambiguous. Also, they develop unique surgical problems that do not affect the general population. Management of this population must be multidisciplinary.This paper presents the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), Surgical Infection Society Europe (SIS-E), World Surgical Infection Society (WSIS), American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST), and Global Alliance for Infection in Surgery (GAIS) joined guidelines about the management of acute abdomen in immunocompromised patients.

Fulltext Erratum to: IROA: International Register of Open Abdomen, preliminary results

Coccolini F, Montori G, Ceresoli M, Catena F, Ivatury R, Sugrue M, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2017;12:13.

PMID: 28286545 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-017-0127-4

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13017-017-0123-8.].

Fulltext IROA: International Register of Open Abdomen, preliminary results

Coccolini F, Montori G, Ceresoli M, Catena F, Ivatury R, Sugrue M, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2017;12:10.

PMID: 28239409 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-017-0123-8

BACKGROUND: No definitive data about open abdomen (OA) epidemiology and outcomes exist. The World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and the Panamerican Trauma Society (PTS) promoted the International Register of Open Abdomen (IROA).

METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study including patients with an OA treatment. Data were recorded on a web platform (Clinical Registers®) through a dedicated website: www.clinicalregisters.org.

RESULTS: Four hundred two patients enrolled. Adult patients: 369 patients; Mean age: 57.39±18.37; 56% male; Mean BMI: 36±5.6. OA indication: Peritonitis (48.7%), Trauma (20.5%), Vascular Emergencies/Hemorrhage (9.4%), Ischemia (9.1%), Pancreatitis (4.2%),Post-operative abdominal-compartment-syndrome (3.9%), Others (4.2%). The most adopted Temporary-abdominal-closure systems were the commercial negative pressure ones (44.2%). During OA 38% of patients had complications; among them 10.5% had fistula. Definitive closure: 82.8%; Mortality during treatment: 17.2%. Mean duration of OA: 5.39(±4.83) days; Mean number of dressing changes: 0.88(±0.88). After-closure complications: (49.5%) and Mortality: (9%). No significant associations among TACT, indications, mortality, complications and fistula. A linear correlationexists between days of OA and complications (Pearson linear correlation = 0.326 p<0.0001) and with the fistula development (Pearson = 0.146 p= 0.016). Pediatric patients: 33 patients. Mean age: 5.91±(3.68) years; 60% male. Mortality: 3.4%; Complications: 44.8%; Fistula: 3.4%. Mean duration of OA: 3.22(±3.09) days.

CONCLUSION: Temporary abdominal closure is reliable and safe. The different techniques account for different results according to the different indications. In peritonitis commercial negative pressure temporary closure seems to improve results. In trauma skin-closure and Bogotà-bag seem to improve results.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02382770.

Open abdomen and entero-atmospheric fistulae: An interim analysis from the International Register of Open Abdomen (IROA)

Coccolini F, Ceresoli M, Kluger Y, Kirkpatrick A, Montori G, Salvetti F, et al.

Injury, 2019 Jan;50(1):160-166.

PMID: 30274755 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2018.09.040

INTRODUCTION: No definitive data describing associations between cases of Open Abdomen (OA) and Entero-atmospheric fistulae (EAF) exist. The World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and the Panamerican Trauma Society (PTS) thus analyzed the International Register of Open Abdomen (IROA) to assess this question.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective analysis of adult patients enrolled in the IROA.

RESULTS: Among 649 adult patients with OA 58 (8.9%) developed EAF. Indications for OA were peritonitis (51.2%) and traumatic-injury (16.8%). The most frequently utilized temporary abdominal closure techniques were Commercial-NPWT (46.8%) and Bogotà-bag (21.9%). Mean OA days were 7.9 ± 18.22. Overall mortality rate was 29.7%, with EAF having no impact on mortality. Multivariate analysis associated cancer (p = 0.018), days of OA (p = 0.003) and time to provision-of-nutrition (p = 0.016) with EAF occurrence.

CONCLUSION: Entero-atmospheric fistulas are influenced by the duration of open abdomen treatment and by the nutritional status of the patient. Peritonitis, intestinal anastomosis, negative pressure and oral or enteral nutrition were not risk factors for EAF during OA treatment.

Fulltext Erratum to: The management of intra-abdominal infections from a global perspective: 2017 WSES guidelines for management of intra-abdominal infections

Sartelli M, Chichom-Mefire A, Labricciosa FM, Hardcastle T, Abu-Zidan FM, Adesunkanmi AK, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2017;12:36.

PMID: 28785302 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-017-0148-z

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13017-017-0141-6.].

Fulltext The management of intra-abdominal infections from a global perspective: 2017 WSES guidelines for management of intra-abdominal infections

Sartelli M, Chichom-Mefire A, Labricciosa FM, Hardcastle T, Abu-Zidan FM, Adesunkanmi AK, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2017;12:29.

PMID: 28702076 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-017-0141-6

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are common surgical emergencies and have been reported as major contributors to non-trauma deaths in the emergency departments worldwide. The cornerstones of effective treatment of IAIs are early recognition, adequate source control, and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Prompt resuscitation of patients with ongoing sepsis is of utmost important. In hospitals worldwide, non-acceptance of, or lack of access to, accessible evidence-based practices and guidelines result in overall poorer outcome of patients suffering IAIs. The aim of this paper is to promote global standards of care in IAIs and update the 2013 WSES guidelines for management of intra-abdominal infections.

Fulltext 2019 update of the WSES guidelines for management of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection in surgical patients

Sartelli M, Di Bella S, McFarland LV, Khanna S, Furuya-Kanamori L, Abuzeid N, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2019 02 28;14:8.

PMID: 30858872 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-019-0228-3

In the last three decades, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased in incidence and severity in many countries worldwide. The increase in CDI incidence has been particularly apparent among surgical patients. Therefore, prevention of CDI and optimization of management in the surgical patient are paramount. An international multidisciplinary panel of experts from the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) updated its guidelines for management of CDI in surgical patients according to the most recent available literature. The update includes recent changes introduced in the management of this infection.

Fulltext WSES/GAIS/WSIS/SIS-E/AAST global clinical pathways for patients with skin and soft tissue infections

Sartelli M, Coccolini F, Kluger Y, Agastra E, Abu-Zidan FM, Abbas AES, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2022 01 15;17(1):3.

PMID: 35033131 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-022-00406-2

Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) encompass a variety of pathological conditions that involve the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue, fascia, or muscle, ranging from simple superficial infections to severe necrotizing infections.Together, the World Society of Emergency Surgery, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery, the Surgical Infection Society-Europe, The World Surgical Infection Society, and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma have jointly completed an international multi-society document to promote global standards of care in SSTIs guiding clinicians by describing reasonable approaches to the management of SSTIs.An extensive non-systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases, limited to the English language. The resulting evidence was shared by an international task force with different clinical backgrounds.

Fulltext Raising concerns about the Sepsis-3 definitions

Sartelli M, Kluger Y, Ansaloni L, Hardcastle TC, Rello J, Watkins RR, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2018;13:6.

PMID: 29416555 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-018-0165-6

The Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery appreciates the great effort of the task force who derived and validated the Sepsis-3 definitions and considers the new definitions an important step forward in the evolution of our understanding of sepsis. Nevertheless, more than a year after their publication, we have a few concerns regarding the use of the Sepsis-3 definitions.

Fulltext Global validation of the WSES Sepsis Severity Score for patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections: a prospective multicentre study (WISS Study)

Sartelli M, Abu-Zidan FM, Catena F, Griffiths EA, Di Saverio S, Coimbra R, et al.

World J Emerg Surg, 2015;10:61.

PMID: 26677396 DOI: 10.1186/s13017-015-0055-0

BACKGROUND: To validate a new practical Sepsis Severity Score for patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) including the clinical conditions at the admission (severe sepsis/septic shock), the origin of the cIAIs, the delay in source control, the setting of acquisition and any risk factors such as age and immunosuppression.
METHODS: The WISS study (WSES cIAIs Score Study) is a multicenter observational study underwent in 132 medical institutions worldwide during a four-month study period (October 2014-February 2015). Four thousand five hundred thirty-three patients with a mean age of 51.2 years (range 18-99) were enrolled in the WISS study.
RESULTS: Univariate analysis has shown that all factors that were previously included in the WSES Sepsis Severity Score were highly statistically significant between those who died and those who survived (p

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