Reconstructive Surgery for the Neglected Tropical Diseases: Global Gaps and Future Directions

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Surgical Interventions
• Neglected Tropical Diseases

Background:

• Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) often cause severe disfigurement, particularly in resource-limited regions lacking surgical access.
• There is a growing emphasis on incorporating surgical interventions into NTD management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of major disfiguring NTDs.
• To discuss challenges and barriers to accessing and integrating reconstructive surgery for NTDs into healthcare systems.

Main Methods:

• A literature review was performed using PubMed (2008-2021).
• Searches included diseases listed as NTDs by the WHO and PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
• Reference lists and WHO databases were also consulted.

Main Results:

• Standardization and harmonization of surgical techniques are crucial for successful treatment and postoperative care of disfiguring NTDs.
• Cautious application of reconstructive surgery, emphasizing antibiotic stewardship, collaborative surgical teams, and local capacity building, is recommended.
• Preventative hygiene measures are vital in resource-poor settings.

Conclusions:

• Surgery offers significant potential for treating disfigurement and disability caused by NTDs.
• Expanding local capacity through training and medical missions, alongside developing universal surgical protocols, is essential for NTD reconstructive surgery.
• Antibiotic and drug management are critical initial steps before surgical intervention.