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Mapping Plastic Reconstructive Surgical Needs and Access Barriers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review
Sabina Rodriguez Velásquez1,2, Camille Beatrice Gaza Bionda Valera1,2, Saidu Idris Ahmad2,3
1Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
World Journal of Surgery
|July 4, 2026
Summary
Plastic reconstructive surgery (PRS) in sub-Saharan Africa is under-researched and under-resourced. Addressing this inequity requires local solutions, workforce growth, and integration into national health plans.
Area of Science:
- Global Surgery
- Public Health
- Plastic Reconstructive Surgery
Background:
- Limited access to safe surgical care affects 140 million people annually, disproportionately impacting low- and middle-income countries.
- Sub-Saharan Africa faces a high burden of trauma, burns, and congenital malformations, with insufficient plastic reconstructive surgery (PRS) capacity.
- Existing evidence on PRS in the region is fragmented and lacks quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of plastic reconstructive surgery (PRS) evidence in sub-Saharan Africa.
- To map the current state of PRS evidence, disease burden, and barriers to care in the region.
- To identify key areas for improving PRS access and outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, etc.) and gray literature.
- Inclusion of studies on PRS-relevant pathologies, surgical capacity, and barriers in sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa).
- Descriptive synthesis of data charted in Covidence.
Main Results:
- 353 studies met inclusion criteria, with trauma (43.6%) and burns (40.2%) being the most common conditions.
- Research predominantly originated from Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania, focusing on tertiary hospitals.
- Workforce shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and financial barriers were identified as major obstacles; PRS interventions proved cost-effective (US$33/DALY averted).
Conclusions:
- Plastic reconstructive surgery (PRS) in sub-Saharan Africa is critically under-researched and under-resourced.
- Addressing care inequities necessitates locally adapted assessment tools and workforce expansion.
- Integration of PRS into national surgical plans is crucial for improving access and outcomes.
