An estimation of the global volume of surgery: a modelling strategy based on available data.

This article discusses efforts to construct a model of the prevalence and distribution of surgical care on a global scale. This analysis took demographic data from World Health Organization (WHO) member states, governmental agencies, epidemiological organisations and per-head health spending analyses to estimate the total number of surgeries performed. Inequities in access to surgical care are noted. Efforts to collect information on the rates of death and complication from surgical procedures are also noted.