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Background: We aimed to identify differences in disparities among patients with a cancer in which screening is widely recommended (colorectal cancer [CRC]) and one in which it is not (esophageal cancer). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using 2004–2015 data from the National Cancer Database. Multivariable generalized logistic regression was used to identify potential differences in the effect of disparities in stage at diagnosis. Results: A total of 96,524 esophageal cancer patients and 361,187 CRC patients were included. Black patients, longer travel distances, and lower educational attainment were only associated with increased odds of stage IV CRC. While both Medicaid and uninsured patients were more likely to be diagnosed with stage IV esophageal and CRC, the effect was larger among CRC patients. From 2004 to 2015, the rates of stage IV esophageal cancer decreased from 42.0% to 38.2%, while the rates of stage IV CRC increased from 36.9% to 40.8% (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Disparities are more pronounced in CRC, compared to esophageal cancer. Equity in access to screening and cancer care should be prioritized.

Introduction: Secondary overtriage (OT) is the unnecessary transfer of injured patients between facilities. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which shoulder the greatest burden of trauma globally, the impact of wasted resources on an overburdened system is high. This study determined the rate and associated characteristics of OT at a Malawian central hospital. Methods: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from January 2012 through July 2017 was performed at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, Malawi. Patients were considered OT if they were discharged alive within 48 h without undergoing a procedure, and were not severely injured or in shock on arrival. Factors evaluated for association with OT included patient demographics, injury characteristics, and transferring facility information. Results: Of 80,915 KCH trauma patients, 15,422 (19.1%) transferred from another facility. Of these, 8703 (56.2%) were OT. OT patients were younger (median 15, IQR: 6–31 versus median 26, IQR: 11–38, p < 0.001). Patients with primary extremity injury (5308, 59.9%) were overtriaged more than those with head injury (1991, 51.8%) or torso trauma (1349, 50.8%), p < 0.001. The OT rate was lower at night (18.9% v 28.7%, p < 0.001) and similar on weekends (20.4% v 21.8%, p = 0.03). OT was highest for penetrating wounds, bites, and falls; burns were the lowest. In multivariable modeling, risk of OT was greatest for burns and soft tissue injuries. Conclusions: The majority of trauma patients who transfer to KCH are overtriaged. Implementation of transfer criteria, trauma protocols, and interhospital communication can mitigate the strain of OT in resource-limited settings.

There are multiple transitions in surgical education. Among the most significant are those from medical student to intern, from junior resident to senior resident, and from senior resident/fellow to independent practice. While there are new expectations and responsibilities associated with each of these roles, a surgeon's development should be thought of as more of a continuum with distinct points of greatest change and challenge. There are common themes at these various transitions that may be highlighted for both trainees and educators.

One potential harm of nonoperative management for acute appendicitis is missed appendiceal cancer, a rare and often aggressive malignancy due to the frequency of late stage of diagnosis. Previous studies have reported an increasing incidence of appendiceal neoplasms in the population. This is a retrospective case-control study of 1007 adult patients, who presented to the University of North Carolina-Memorial Hospital (UNC-MH) between 2011 and 2015 with clinical signs and symptoms of appendicitis. We evaluated the incidence of primary appendiceal cancer in this population and determined factors that predict appendiceal cancer diagnosis using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The overall incidence of appendiceal neoplasm for adult patients presenting to UNC-MH with appendicitis from 2011 to 2015 was 2.3 per cent (23/1007). The incidence in patients without appendiceal perforation on pathology was 1.9 per cent (16/832). Age (odds ratio (OR) 1.03), number of days of abdominal pain (OR 1.16), self-reported fever (OR 2.08), appendiceal width (OR 1.95), and appendiceal wall thickness (OR 1.30) were predictors of appendiceal neoplasm diagnosis in patients that present with acute appendicitis. We recommend that an operative approach to acute appendicitis should remain the standard of care because operative management may not only be diagnostic but potentially therapeutic.

Introduction: There is a paucity of data regarding sex-based disparities in surgical care delivery, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study sought to determine whether sex disparities are present among patients presenting with surgical conditions in Malawi. Hypothesis compared to men, fewer women present to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) with peritonitis and have longer delays in presentation for definitive care. Methods: This study performs a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of all general surgery patients with peritonitis presenting to KCH in Lilongwe, Malawi, from September 2013 to April 2016. Multivariable linear and logistic regressions were used to assess the effect of sex on mortality, length of stay, operative intervention, complications, and time to presentation. Results: Of 462 patients presenting with general surgery conditions and peritonitis, 68.8% were men and 31.2% were women. After adjustments, women had significantly higher odds of non-operative management when compared to men (OR 2.17, 95%CI 1.30–3.62, P = 0.003), delays in presentation (adjusted mean difference 136 h, 95%CI 100–641, P = 0.05), delays to operation (adjusted mean difference 1.91 days, 95%CI 1.12–3.27, P = 0.02), and longer lengths of stay (adjusted mean difference 1.67 days, 95%CI 1.00–2.80, P = 0.05). There were no differences in complications or in-hospital or Emergency Department mortality. Conclusion: Sex disparities exist within the general surgery population at KCH in Lilongwe, Malawi. Fewer women present with surgical problems, and women experience delays in presentation, longer lengths of stay, and undergo fewer operations. Future studies to determine mortality in the community and driving factors of sex disparities will provide more insight.

Prompt appendectomy has long been the standard of care for acute appendicitis because of the risk of progression to perforation. Recently, studies have suggested nonemergent management of acute appendicitis. Our study aimed to determine changes in risk of rupture and complications in patients with appendicitis, with increasing time from symptom onset to treatment. Retrospective study of patients aged ≥18 years presenting to the University of North Carolina Hospitals with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis who subsequently underwent appendectomy from 2011 to 2015 was performed. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and pathologic data were reviewed. Bivariate analysis was performed to assess variables associated with increased risk of perforation. Poisson regression modeling was completed to evaluate the risk of perforation and postoperative abscess based on time from symptoms to treatment. Within our database of 1007 patients, the mean time from onset of symptoms to operative intervention was 3.24 ± 2.2 days. Modified Poisson regression modeling demonstrated the relative risk for perforation increases by 9% (RR 1.09, P < 0.001) for each day delay. Age (RR 1.03), male gender (RR 1.50), temperature on admission (RR 1.32), and the presence of fecalith (RR 1.89) statistically significantly increased the risk of perforation. Furthermore, for each day delay, there is an 8% increased risk of postoperative abscess (RR 1.08, P 5 0.027). The relative risk for appendiceal perforation is 9 per cent per day delay with a resultant 8 per cent increased risk of postoperative abscess. Thus, appendectomy for acute appendicitis should remain an emergent procedure, given that delays in operative management lead to complications and increases in cost of care.

Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common gastro-intestinal surgical emergency. Interestingly, a recent study has showed that the incidence of AA in the 21st century has stabilized in high-income countries but has increased in low- and middle-income countries.1 The epidemiological transition in addition to the in-creasing urbanization of the society requires a health system that is capable of delivering emergency sur-gery. Unfortunately, the ability to deliver essential surgical care varies significantly among high-, middle-and low-income countries. We hypothesized that there is significantly increased morbidity and mortality after AA in resource-poor settings. Therefore, we aimed to compare the outcomes of AA in patients managed in a high-income (United States), in a middle-income (Argentina), and in a low-income country (Malawi).

Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are an emerging international concern in low- and middle-income countries that threaten recent public health gains. These challenges are exacerbated in immunocompromised hosts, such as those with burn injury. This study sought to describe the epidemiology and associated clinical outcomes of burn wound colonization in a Malawian tertiary burn center. Methods: This is a prospective analysis of burn patients presenting to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, within 72 h of burn injury. A swab of each patient’s primary wound was collected at admission and each subsequent week. The primary exposure was burn wound colonization with MDR bacteria, particularly Enterobacteriaceae. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. A log binomial model estimated the association between the exposure and outcome, adjusted for confounders. Results: Ninety-nine patients were enrolled with a median age of 4 years (IQR 2–12) and a male preponderance (54%). Median total body surface area burn (TBSA) was 14% (IQR 9–25), and crude in-hospital mortality was 19%. Enterobacteriaceae were the most common MDR bacteria with 36% of patients becoming colonized. Wound colonization with MDR Enterobacteriaceae was associated with increased in-hospital mortality with a risk ratio of 1.86 (95% CI 1.38, 2.50, p < 0.001) adjusted for TBSA, burn type (scald vs. flame), sex, age, length of stay, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization. Conclusion: MDR bacteria, especially Enterobacteriaceae, are common and are associated with worse burn injury outcomes. In resource-poor environments, a greater emphasis on prevention of MDR bacterial colonization, improved isolation precautions, affordable diagnostics, and antibiotic stewardship are imperative.

Introduction: Trauma is a large contributor to morbidity and mortality in developing countries. We sought to determine which anatomic injury locations and mechanisms of injury predispose to prehospital mortality in Malawi to help target preventive and therapeutic interventions. We hypothesized that head injury would result in the highest prehospital mortality. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of all trauma patients presenting to Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, from 2008 to 2015. Independent variables included baseline characteristics, anatomic location of primary injury, mechanism of injury, and severity of secondary injuries. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the effect of primary injury location and injury mechanism on prehospital death, after adjusting for confounders. Effect measure modification of the primary injury site/prehospital death relationship by injury mechanism (stratified into intentional and unintentional injury) was assessed. Results: Of 85,806 patients, 701 died in transit (0.8%). Five hundred and five (72%) of these patients sustained a primary head injury. After adjustment, head injury was the anatomic location most associated with prehospital death (OR 11.81 (95% CI 6.96–20.06, p < 0.0001). The mechanisms of injury most associated with prehospital death were gunshot wounds (OR 38.23, 95% CI 17.66–87.78, p < 0.0001) and pedestrian hit by vehicle (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.92–3.55, p < 0.0001). Among head injury patients, the odds of prehospital mortality were higher with unintentional injuries. Conclusions: Head injuries are the most common causes of prehospital death in Malawi, while pedestrians hit by vehicles are the most common mechanisms. In a resource-poor setting, preventive measures are critical in averting mortality.

background The contribution of interpersonal violence (IPV) to trauma burden varies greatly by region. The high rates of IPV in sub-Saharan Africa are thought to relate in part to the high rates of collective violence. Malawi, a country with no history of internal collective violence, provides an excellent setting to evaluate whether collective violence drives the high rates of IPV in this region. Methods This is a retrospective review of a prospective trauma registry from 2009 through 2016 at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. Adult (>16 years) victims of IPV were compared with non-intentional trauma victims. Log binomial regression determined factors associated with increased risk of mortality for victims of IPV. results Of 72 488 trauma patients, 25 008 (34.5%) suffered IPV. Victims of IPV were more often male (80.2% vs. 74.8%; p

Background: Improvement in mortality has been shown for esophagectomies performed at high-volume centers. Objective: This study aimed to determine if centralization of esophageal cancer surgery occurred in the US, and to establish its impact on postoperative mortality. In addition, we aimed to analyze the relationship between regionalization of cancer care and health disparities. Methods: A retrospective population-based analysis was performed using the National Inpatient Sample for the period 2000–2014. Adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) diagnosed with esophageal cancer and who underwent esophagectomy were included. Yearly hospital volume was categorized as low (< 5 procedures), intermediate (5–20 procedures), and high (> 20 procedures). Multivariable analyses on the potential effect of hospital volume on patient outcomes were performed, and the yearly rate of esophagectomies was estimated using Poisson regression. Results: A total of 5235 patients were included. Esophagectomy at low- [odds ratio (OR) 2.17] and intermediate-volume (OR 1.62) hospitals, compared with high-volume hospitals, was associated with a significant increase in mortality. The percentage of esophagectomies performed at high-volume centers significantly increased during the study period (29.2–68.5%; p < 0.0001). The trend towards high-volume hospitals was different among the different US regions: South (7.7–54.3%), West (15.0–67.6%), Midwest (37.3–67.7%), and Northeast (55.8–86.8%) [p < 0.0001]. Overall, the mortality rate of esophagectomy dropped from 10.0 to 3.5% (p = 0.006), with non-White race, public insurance, and low household income patients also showing a significant reduction in mortality. Conclusions: A spontaneous centralization for esophageal cancer surgery occurred in the US. This process was associated with a decrease in the mortality rate, without contributing to health disparities.

We wish to thank Manyozo et al for their comments. We agree that police data tend to underreport injuries and death due to poor traffic police response and follow up on injured victims (e.g. fatalities on route or upon arrival to the hospital).

Cancer is a major global public health problem and is the second leading cause of death in the United States (US). Unfortunately, despite tremendous medical advances in early diagnosis and treatment of several cancer types, socioeconomic inequalities persist in cancer survival. Cancer incidence and death rates vary considerably between racial and ethnic groups. Economic status is also a determinant for appropriate cancer care. Within the four cancer types for which screening is widely recommended (colorectal, breast, cervix, and prostate), the proportion of cases diagnosed at advanced stage is higher in high-poverty census groups.

Introduction: We sought to examine the impact of preexisting and new onset renal disease on burn injury mortality. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients admitted to a regional burn center from 2002-2012 was performed. Variables analyzed included demographics, burn mechanism, inhalation injury status, and % TBSA. Poisson regression was performed to estimate risk of in-hospital burn mortality. Results: There were a total of 7640 patients over the study period. The adjusted 60-day risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with preexisting renal disease (PRD was 3 times higher compared to patients with no preexisting renal disease (IRR = 3.22, 95% CI = 1.26–8.25). The adjusted 60-day risk of mortality is 2 times higher for patients with new onset renal disease compared to those without (IRR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.55–2.87). Conclusion: Preexisting and new onset renal disease results in a significantly higher risk of mortality following burn injury compared to patients without renal disease. Prevention of new onset renal injury and careful management of patients with preexisting renal disease to prevent exacerbation should be pursued.

With the increasing use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for adults with acute hypoxic respiratory failure, the indications for its use have expanded. We wanted to share the results of a recent case from our institution, of a woman who experienced respiratory failure secondary to hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). HG is a rare complication of pregnancy (0.3% to 2.0% of pregnancies), resulting in uncontrolled or excessive nausea and vomiting with dehydration and weight loss, typically in the first to mid second trimester, and is a diagnosis of exclusion.

Introduction In much of the world, burns are more common in cold months. However, few studies have described the seasonality of burns in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examines the effect of seasonality on the incidence and outcome of burns in central Malawi. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed at Kamuzu Central Hospital and included all patients admitted from May 2011 to August 2014. Demographic data, burn mechanism, total body surface area (%TBSA), and mortality were analyzed. Seasons were categorized as Rainy (December–February), Lush (March–May), Cold (June–August) and Hot (September–November). A negative binomial regression was used to assess the effect of seasonality on burn incidence. This was performed using both the raw and deseasonalized data in order to evaluate for trends not attributable to random fluctuation. Results A total of 905 patients were included. Flame (38%) and Scald (59%) burns were the most common mechanism. More burns occurred during the cold season (41% vs 19–20% in the other seasons). Overall mortality was 19%. Only the cold season had a statistically significant increase in burn. The incidence rate ratios (IRR) for the hot, lush, and cold seasons were 0.94 (CI 0.6–1.32), 1.02 (CI 0.72–1.45) and 1.6 (CI 1.17–2.19), respectively, when compared to the rainy season. Burn severity and mortality did not differ between seasons. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate the year-round phenomenon of burns treated at our institution, and highlights the slight predominance of burns during the cold season. These data can be used to guide prevention strategies, with special attention to the implications of the increased burn incidence during the cold season. Though burn severity and mortality remain relatively unchanged between seasons, recognizing the seasonal variability in incidence of burns is critical for resource allocation in this low-income setting.

BACKGROUND Patients with penetrating trauma who cannot be stabilized undergo operative intervention without preoperative imaging. In such cases, postoperative imaging may reveal additional injuries not identified during the initial operative exploration. The purpose of this study is to explore the utility of postoperative CT imaging in the setting of penetrating trauma. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of patients with penetrating trauma treated at an urban Level 1 trauma center between 2010 and 2015. Patients were included if they underwent an emergent laparotomy without preoperative imaging. Patients were excluded if they had prior imaging or concomitant blunt injury. For the purposes of this study, occult injury was defined as a CT scan finding not mentioned in the first operative report. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patient characteristics who had received imaging immediately postoperatively with those who had not. RESULTS During the 5-year study period, 328 patients who had a laparotomy for penetrating trauma over the study period, 225 patients met the inclusion criteria. Seventy-three (32%) patients underwent CT scanning immediately postoperatively with occult injuries identified in 38 (52%) patients. The most frequent occult injuries were orthopedic (20 of 43) and genitourinary (9 of 43). Importantly, 10 (26%) of the 38 patients required an intervention for these occult injuries. Those selected for immediate postoperative imaging were more likely to have sustained gunshot wounds and were significantly more severely injured (higher Injury Severity Score and longer length of hospital stay) when compared to patients who did not receive immediate imaging. CONCLUSION We recommend the use of immediate postoperative CT after emergent laparotomy especially when there is a high index of suspicion for spine or genitourinary injuries and in patients who have sustained ballistic penetrating injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic/care management, level IV diagnostic tests or criteria, level IV.

Over the past two decades, global surgery has evolved into a well-recognized surgical discipline. This has come about for several reasons beyond the moral imperative. With the emphasis in global health shifting from communicable to non-communicable diseases, global surgery is now uniquely positioned to expand and take its rightful place within global public health.

Safe and reliable transfusion services remain largely unavailable to the world’s poorest populations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. WHO responded to this crisis with a strategy focused on centralising blood transfusion services, the exclusive use of volunteer donors, donor blood testing, and transfusion stewardship. On the basis of our experience in Malawi, we think that this policy has unintentionally decreased the availability of blood products for patients with acute haemorrhage.

There is a lack of access to emergency surgical care in developing countries despite a burden of surgical disease. Health care systems are overwhelmed by the high volume of patients who need acute care and by insufficient capacity because of a lack of appropriate prehospital care, surgery-capable clinicians, and basic health care delivery infrastructures. Compared with high-income countries where mortality from peritonitis is less than 5%, mortality in this resource-poor setting is nearly 20%. These patients are particularly susceptible because of a lack of the prerequisite surgical infrastructure, which includes prompt triage and diagnosis, early transfer to a higher level of care, timely surgical intervention, and critical care services. This study identifies outcomes of patients with peritonitis and factors that contribute to mortality.

Objective While psychological care, including supportive group therapy, is a mainstay of burn treatment in the developed world, few reports of support groups for burn survivors and their caregivers in the developing world exist. This study records the findings of a support group in Malawi and provides a qualitative analysis of thematic content discussed by burn survivors and caregivers. Materials and methods We established a support group for burn survivors and caregivers from February–May 2012 in the burn unit at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. Sessions were held weekly for twelve weeks and led by a Malawian counselor. The group leader compiled transcripts of each session and these transcripts were qualitatively analyzed for thematic information. Results Thematic analysis demonstrated a variety of psychological issues discussed by both survivors and caregivers. Caregivers discussed themes of guilt and self-blame for their children's injuries, worries about emotional distance now created between caregiver and survivor, fears that hospital admission meant likely patient death and concerns about their child's future and burn associated stigma. Burn survivors discussed frustration with long hospitalization courses, hope created through interactions with hospital staff, the association between mental and physical health, rumination about their injuries and how this would affect their future, decreased self-value, increased focus on their own mortality and family interpersonal difficulties. Conclusions The establishment of a support group in our burn unit provided a venue for burn survivors and their families to discuss subjective experiences, as well as the dissemination of various coping techniques. Burn survivors and their caregivers in Malawi would benefit from the establishment of similar groups in the future to help address the psychological sequelae of burns.

Importance: In resource-limited settings, identification of successful and sustainable task-shifting interventions is important for improving care. Objective: To determine whether the training of lay people to take vital signs as trauma clerks is an effective and sustainable method to increase availability of vital signs in the initial evaluation of trauma patients. Design: We conducted a quasi-experimental study of patients presenting with traumatic injury pre- and post-intervention. Setting: The study was conducted at Kamuzu Central Hospital, a tertiary care referral hospital, in Lilongwe, Malawi. Participants: All adult (age ≥ 18 years) trauma patients presenting to emergency department over a six-month period from January to June prior to intervention (2011), immediately post-intervention (2012), 1 year post-intervention (2013) and 2 years post-intervention (2014). Intervention: Lay people were trained to take and record vital signs. Main outcomes and measures: The number of patients with recorded vital signs pre- and post-intervention and sustainability of the intervention as determined by time-series analysis. Results: Availability of vital signs on initial evaluation of trauma patients increased significantly post-intervention. The percentage of patients with at least one vital sign recorded increased from 23.5 to 92.1%, and the percentage of patients with all vital signs recorded increased from 4.1 to 91.4%. Availability of Glasgow Coma Scale also increased from 40.3 to 88.6%. Increased documentation of vital signs continued at 1 year and 2 years post-intervention. However, the percentage of documented vital signs did decrease slightly after the US-trained medical student and surgeon who trained the trauma clerks were no longer available in country, except for Glasgow Coma Scale. Patients who died during emergency department evaluation were significantly less likely to have vital signs recorded. Conclusions and relevance: The training of lay people to collect vital signs and Glasgow Coma Scale is an effective and sustainable method of task shifting in a resource-limited setting.

Introduction Burns cause physiologic changes in multiple organ systems in the body. Burn mortality is usually attributable to pulmonary complications, which can occur in up to 41% of patients admitted to the hospital after burn. Patients with preexisting comorbidities such as chronic lung diseases may be more susceptible. We therefore sought to examine the impact of preexisting respiratory disease on burn outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients admitted to a regional burn center from 2002–2012. Independent variables analyzed included basic demographics, burn mechanism, presence of inhalation injury, TBSA, pre-existing comorbidities, smoker status, length of hospital stay, and days of mechanical ventilation. Bivariate analysis was performed and Cox regression modeling using significant variables was utilized to estimate hazard of progression to mechanical ventilation and mortality. Results There were a total of 7640 patients over the study period. Overall survival rate was 96%. 8% (n = 672) had a preexisting respiratory disease. Chronic lung disease patients had a higher mortality rate (7%) compared to those without lung disease (4%, p < 0.01). The adjusted Cox regression model to estimate the hazard of progression to mechanical ventilation in patients with respiratory disease was 21% higher compared to those without respiratory disease (HR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01–1.44). The hazard of progression to mortality is 56% higher (HR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.10–2.19) for patients with pre-existing respiratory disease compared to those without respiratory disease after controlling for patient demographics and injury characteristics. Conclusion Preexisting chronic respiratory disease significantly increases the hazard of progression to mechanical ventilation and mortality in patients following burn. Given the increasing number of Americans with chronic respiratory diseases, there will likely be a greater number of individuals at risk for worse outcomes following burn.

Background Intentional injuries are the result of violence. This is an important public health issue, particularly in children, and is an unaddressed problem in sub-Saharan Africa. This study sought to describe the characteristics of intentional injury, particularly physical abuse, in children presenting to our tertiary trauma centre in Lilongwe, Malawi and how they compare to children with unintentional injuries. Methods A retrospective analysis of children (

We truly appreciate your important commentary regarding intentional burns in Nepal. Our study, while the first countrywide population based study on burns in Nepal, has several limitations.

Purpose To estimate the capacity for supporting new general surgery residency programs among U.S. hospitals that currently do not have such programs. Method The authors compiled 2011 American Hospital Association data regarding the characteristics of hospitals with and without a general surgery residency program and 2012 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education data regarding existing general surgery residencies. They performed an ordinary least squares regression to model the number of residents who could be trained at existing programs on the basis of residency program-level variables. They identified candidate hospitals on the basis of a priori defined criteria for new general surgery residency programs and an out-of-sample prediction of resident capacity among the candidate hospitals. Results The authors found that 153 hospitals in 39 states could support a general surgery residency program. The characteristics of these hospitals closely resembled the characteristics of hospitals with existing programs. They identified 435 new residency positions: 40 hospitals could support 2 residents per year, 99 hospitals could support 3 residents, 12 hospitals could support 4 residents, and 2 hospitals could support 5 residents. Accounting for progressive specialization, new residency programs could add 287 additional general surgeons to the workforce annually (after an initial five- to seven-year lead time). Conclusions By creating new general surgery residency programs, hospitals could increase the number of general surgeons entering the workforce each year by 25%. A challenge to achieving this growth remains finding new funding mechanisms within and outside Medicare. Such changes are needed to mitigate projected workforce shortages.

Background: Traumatic injury in the elderly is an emerging global problem with an associated increase in morbidity and mortality. This study sought to describe the epidemiology of elderly injury and outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients (≥ 18 years) with traumatic injuries presenting to the Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, Malawi, over 5 years (2009–2013). Elderly patients were defined as adults aged ≥65 years and compared to adults aged 18–44 and 45–64 years. We used propensity score matching and logistic regression to compare the odds of mortality between age groups using the youngest age group as the reference. Results: 42,816 Adult patients with traumatic injuries presented to KCH during the study period. 1253 patients (2.9 %) were aged ≥65 years with a male preponderance (77.4 %). Injuries occurred more often at home as age increased (25.3, 29.5, 41.1 %, p < 0.001) and falls were more common (14.1, 23.8, 36.3 %, p < 0.001) for elderly patients. Elderly age was associated with a higher proportion of hospital admissions (10.6, 21.3, 35.2 %, p < 0.001). Upon propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of mortality for patients aged ≥65 was 3.15 (95 % CI 1.45, 6.82, p = 0.0037) compared to the youngest age group (18–44 years). Conclusions: Elderly trauma in a resource-poor area in sub-Saharan Africa is associated with a significant increase in hospital admissions and mortality. Significant improvements in trauma systems, pre-hospital care, and hospital capacity for older, critically ill patients are imperative.

Intentional injury to children is a major, but neglected public health and human rights issue with devastating consequences on families and societies, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Intentional injury is defined by the World Health Organization as ‘‘the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation.”

Importance: Changes in pulmonary dynamics following laparotomy are well documented. Deep breathing exercises, with or without incentive spirometry, may help counteract postoperative decreased vital capacity; however, the evidence for the role of incentive spirometry in the prevention of postoperative atelectasis is inconclusive. Furthermore, data are scarce regarding the prevention of postoperative atelectasis in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To determine the effect of the use of incentive spirometry on pulmonary function following exploratory laparotomy as measured by forced vital capacity (FVC). Design, Setting, and Participants: Thiswas a single-center, randomized clinical trial performed at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi. Study participants were adult patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy and were randomized into the intervention or control groups (standard of care) from February 1 to November 30, 2013. All patients received routine postoperative care, including instructions for deep breathing and early ambulation.We used bivariate analysis to compare outcomes between the intervention and control groups. Intervention: Adult patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy participated in postoperative deep breathing exercises. Patients in the intervention group received incentive spirometers Main outcomes and measures: We assessed pulmonary function using a peak flow meter to measure FVC in both groups of patients. Secondary outcomes, such as hospital length of stay and mortality, were obtained from the medical records. Results: A total of 150 patients were randomized (75 in each arm). The median age in the intervention and control groups was 35 years (interquartile range, 28-53 years) and 33 years (interquartile range, 23-46 years), respectively. Men predominated in both groups, and most patients underwent emergency procedures (78.7%in the intervention group and 84.0%in the control group). Mean initial FVC did not differ significantly between the intervention and control groups (0.92 and 0.90 L, respectively; P = .82 [95%CI, 0.52-2.29]). Although patients in the intervention group tended to have higher final FVC measurements, the change between the first and last measured FVC was not statistically significant (0.29 and 0.25 L, respectively; P = .68 [95%CI, 0.65-1.95]). Likewise, hospital length of stay did not differ significantly between groups. Overall postoperative mortality was 6.0%, with a higher mortality rate in the control group compared with the intervention group (10.7%and 1.3%, respectively; P = .02 [95%CI, 0.01-0.92]). Conclusions and Relevance: Education and provision of incentive spirometry for unmonitored patient use does not result in statistically significant improvement in pulmonary dynamics following laparotomy.We would not recommend the addition of incentive spirometry to the current standard of care in this resource-constrained environment. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01789177.

Background Critically ill pediatric patients frequently require hemoglobin monitoring. Accurate noninvasive Hb (SpHb) would allow practitioners to decrease anemia from repeated blood draws, traumatic blood draws, and a decreased number of laboratory Hb (LabHb) medical tests. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the Masimo Pronto SpHb and associated Rainbow probes; however, its use in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is controversial. In this study, we define the degree of agreement between LabHb and SpHb using the Masimo Pronto SpHb Monitor and identify clinical and demographic conditions associated with decreased accuracy. Materials and methods We performed a prospective, observational study in a large PICU at an academic medical center. Fifty-three pediatric patients (30-d and 18-y-old), weighing >3 kg, admitted to the PICU from January-April 2013 were examined. SpHb levels measured at the time of LabHb blood draw were compared and analyzed. Results Only 83 SpHb readings were obtained in 118 attempts (70.3%) and 35 readings provided a result of "unable to obtain." The mean LabHb and SpHb were 11.1 g/dL and 11.2 g/dL, respectively. Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of 0.07 g/dL with a standard deviation of ±2.59 g/dL. Pearson correlation is 0.55, with a 95% confidence interval between 0.38 and 0.68. Logistic regression showed that extreme LabHb values, increasing skin pigmentation, and increasing body mass index were predictors of poor agreement between SpHb and LabHb (P < 0.05). Separately, increasing body mass index, hypoxia, and hypothermia were predictors for undetectable readings (P < 0.05). Conclusions The Masimo Pronto SpHb Monitor provides adequate agreement for the trending of hemoglobin levels in critically ill pediatric patients. However, the degree of agreement is insufficient to be used as the sole indicator for transfusion decisions and should be used in context of other clinical parameters to determine the need for LabHb in critically ill pediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION The Departments of Surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, Malawi, formed a partnership of service, training, and research in 2008. We report a case of recurrent pancreatitis leading to pancreatic necrosis treated at KCH. PRESENTATION OF CASE A 42 year-old male presented to KCH with his fourth episode of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. He had tachycardia, guarding, rebound tenderness, and free fluid on abdominal ultrasonography. He underwent laparotomy and had fat saponification with pancreatic necrosis. A large drain was placed, he was given antibiotics, and he recovered. He had normal lipids, no gallstones, and did not consume alcohol. He was encouraged to seek further evaluation with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or computed tomography in South Africa, however this was prohibitively expensive. DISCUSSION This case illustrates the limitations that are often faced by surgeons visiting developing countries. What we consider standard resources and treatment algorithms in managing necrotizing pancreatitis in developed countries (such as serum lipase and percutaneous interventions) were not available. CONCLUSION Visiting surgeons and trainees must be both familiar with local resource limitations and aware of the implications of such limitations on patient care. To support training and promote advances in health care, local surgeons and trainees should understand optimal treatment strategies regardless of their particular resource limitations. North-South partnerships are an excellent means to uphold our professional obligation to humanity, promote health care as a right, and shape the future of health care in developing countries.