Abstract 16: Characterizing the Global Need for Plastic Surgery Service

Abstract

Background: Nearly 5 billion people worldwide do not have access to surgical care. Access to plastic surgery for trauma-related injuries, congenital anomalies, and malignancies is equally limited. The current global surgery model relies heavily on short-term international surgical mission trips, yet little information is available to guide their development. Methods: To assess global plastic surgery service needs, a 16-item survey was designed and electronically distributed to 4550 members of the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS). Members are required to maintain active membership in their respective national society of plastic surgery. Three rounds of surveys were distributed. Countries with fewer than 3 responses were excluded from individual analysis. Results: A total of 906 responses (20%) were obtained. 91% of respondents practice in an urban setting, and the majority are in private practice. More than 80% of respondents from Bangladesh (n=12), China (n=3), Colombia (n=20), Ecuador (n=10), Iraq (n=5), Panama (n=10), Philippines (n=11), Saudi Arabia (n=7) and Vietnam (n=5) indicated a need for volunteer plastic surgeons. 80% of respondents in Southeast Asia (n=40) and 79% of respondents in Central America (n=29) indicated a need for volunteers. Respondents from India (n=26) and Bangladesh (n=12) indicated a particular need for burn and trauma reconstruction, while craniofacial anomaly repair is needed globally. “Operating together with local surgeons” and “offering educational opportunities to local surgeons” were rated as the “most helpful” service modalities overall. A majority of respondents in each country indicated that plastic surgeons, operating room staff, anesthesia, physical therapists, and speech therapists are at least “somewhat accessible” in their local community. Conclusion: To maximize the impact of global plastic surgery outreach, organizers should know which service modalities are most needed and where. Our study suggests partnering with local surgeons may provide the greatest local impact, and that much of the global need for plastic surgeons is concentrated in Southeast Asia and Central America.