How Should Laparoscopic Surgery Training be Planned in a Resource-Limited Environment?

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Surgical Innovation
• Medical Education

Background:

• Laparoscopic surgeries (LSs) are underutilized in low-income countries due to infrastructure and resource limitations.
• Introducing advanced surgical techniques requires tailored training and collaborative efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation and outcomes of the first bilateral collaboration protocol (BCP) for LS at an African university hospital.
• To establish laparoscopic surgery in a region where it was previously unavailable.

Main Methods:

• A 3-stage BCP was conducted between a Turkish and an Ethiopian university hospital from January to June 2024.
• Training involved 3-6 months of surgical education in Turkey, followed by a week of on-site training and initial procedures in Ethiopia.
• The program included installation of equipment, training of surgeons and operating room staff, and remote follow-up via video call.

Main Results:

• During the initial week in Ethiopia, 25 patients underwent the first LSs, covering general surgery, gynecology, and ENT.
• In the subsequent 30 days, 24 additional LS procedures were performed.
• The collaboration facilitated the introduction of minimally invasive surgery in the Somali State of Ethiopia.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic surgery can be successfully introduced in low-income countries through well-structured training programs and international collaboration.
• This BCP model provides a framework for expanding surgical capabilities in resource-limited healthcare settings.