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Purpose: Surgical practice globally has undergone significant advancements with the advent of robotic systems. In Africa, a similar trend is emerging with the introduction of robots into various surgical specialties in certain countries. The need to review the robotic procedures performed, platforms utilized, and analyze outcomes such as conversion, morbidity, and mortality associated with robotic surgery in Africa, necessitated this study. This is the first study examining the status and outcomes of robotic surgery in Africa. Methods: A thorough scoping search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and African Journals Online. Of the 1,266 studies identified, 16 studies across 3 countries met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis conducted using R statistical software estimated the pooled prevalences with the 95% confidence interval (CI) of conversion, morbidity, and mortality. Results: Surgical robots are reportedly in use in South Africa, Egypt, and Tunisia. Across four specialties, 1,328 procedures were performed using da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical), Versius (CMR Surgical), and Senhance (Asensus Surgical) surgical robotic platforms. Urological procedures (90.1%) were the major procedures performed, with robotic prostatectomy (49.3%) being the most common procedure. The pooled rate of conversion and prevalence of morbidity from the meta-analysis was 0.21% (95% CI, 0%-0.54%) and 21.15% (95% CI, 7.45%-34.85%), respectively. There was no reported case of mortality. Conclusion: The outcomes highlight successful implementation and the potential for wider adoption. Based on our findings, we advocate for multidisciplinary and multinational collaboration, investment in surgical training programs, and policy initiatives aimed at addressing barriers to the widespread adoption of robotic surgery in Africa.
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BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery, including laparoscopy and robotics, has significantly improved general surgical (GS) practice globally. While robot-assisted GS practice is yet to be adopted in the majority of Africa, laparoscopy has been utilized to improve surgical outcomes. This study aims to review the laparoscopic GS procedures (LGSPs) performed and evaluate outcomes such as conversion to open surgery, morbidity, and mortality in Africa. METHODS: Four databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, WoS, and AJOL) were searched, identifying 8022 publications. Following screening, 40 studies across Africa that reported LGSPs (n ≥ 2) performed and outcomes met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis conducted using R statistical software estimated the pooled prevalences with the 95% CI of conversion, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 6381 procedures performed in 15 African countries were analyzed in this study. Majority, 72.89%, of the procedures were performed in Senegal, South Africa, and Nigeria. The major procedures performed were cholecystectomy (37.09%), appendicectomy (33.36%), and diagnostic laparoscopy (9.98%). The meta-analysis revealed a conversion rate of 5% [95% CI: 4, 7]. Adhesion (28.13%), hemorrhage (16.67%), technical difficultly (12.50%), and equipment failure (11.46%) were the predominant indications for conversion. Surgical site infection (42.75%) was the major cause of morbidity. The prevalences of morbidity and mortality were 7% [95% CI: 5, 10] and 0.12% [95% CI: 0, 0.29], respectively. CONCLUSION: A wide range of basic and advanced LGSPs were performed. The outcomes obtained indicate successful implementation of the laparoscopic approach. Importantly, this study serves as a foundational work for further research on minimally invasive surgery in Africa.
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Laparoscopía , Humanos , Laparoscopía/métodos , Laparoscopía/estadística & datos numéricos , África/epidemiología , Conversión a Cirugía Abierta/estadística & datos numéricos , Resultado del Tratamiento , Cirugía General/estadística & datos numéricos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Mínimamente Invasivos/métodos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Mínimamente Invasivos/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Adult mechanical bowel obstruction (AMBO) has been previously reported to be majorly caused by hernias in developing countries. In Nigeria, however, there has been a recent change in pattern with adhesions now being the leading cause. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the changing pattern of the causes, and outcomes of patients managed for AMBO in Nigeria. METHODS: Relevant keywords relating to AMBO were used to conduct a search on PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and AJOL. The search returned 507 articles, which were subjected to title, abstract, and full text screenings, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This generated 10 articles which were included in the final qualitative synthesis. RESULTS: The total sample size across the 10 studies was 1033. Adhesions, hernias, and intra-abdominal tumors, responsible for 46.25%, 26.31%, and 12.23% of cases respectively, were the major causes of AMBO in Nigeria. 65.6% of cases were managed operatively and 34.4% were managed conservatively. The meta-analysis revealed high morbidity and mortality rates of 31% (95% CI: 17; 44, 5) and 11% (95% CI: 6; 15, 5), respectively, among adult patients managed for mechanical bowel obstruction in Nigeria. CONCLUSIONS: Adhesion, which results predominantly from appendicectomy is the most common cause of AMBO in Nigeria. This is unlike former reports where hernia was the most common cause. Morbidity results majorly from wound infection, recurrent adhesions, and postoperative enterocutaneous fistula. The mortality rate is similar to reports from various West African studies, and it is significantly influenced by surgical intervention time.