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The Role of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery in Sub Saharan Africa

  • Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (S Puntambekar, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) is now firmly established in developed countries where there has been a trend away from traditional open surgery towards laparoscopy given proven benefits of faster recovery time and better cosmesis for patients. However, this same trend has not been observed in regions like sub Saharan Africa (SSA) where resources are limited. Lack of human and material resources, need for technological support, and challenges with training have been postulated as major limitations for wide spread introduction and expansion of MIGS in SSA. Nonetheless, a few institutions in sub Saharan Africa have been able to surmount these challenges to develop MIGS in SSA. This paper reviews the current state of minimally invasive surgery in sub Saharan Africa. We review the role and benefits of expanding minimally invasive surgery in sub Saharan Africa with a focus on management of gynecologic conditions. Finally, we review the challenges associated with MIGS in SSA and provide recommendations on the way forward.

Recent Findings

There are several published studies on the successful development of minimally invasive surgery in sub -Saharan Africa with similar benefits of shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery, and better cosmesis for patients. These studies also report the challenges with human and material resources and training.

Summary

There is a large role and need for expansion of minimally invasive surgery in sub Saharan Africa. The challenges of lack of resources, personnel, and training can be surmountable through ingenuity, modeling based on experiences from other low to middle income countries and commitment to the advancement of MIGS for the benefit of women’s health globally.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the other members of the MIGS training team: to Dakar Senegal,:Dr. Jon Einarsson, Dr. James Greenberg, Dr. Mobolaji Ajao, and Dr. Jessica Opoku-Anane.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Oluwatosin Onibokun & Khady Diouf

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Oluwatosin Onibokun & Adeline Boatin

Authors
  1. Oluwatosin Onibokun
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  2. Adeline Boatin
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  3. Khady Diouf
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Correspondence to Oluwatosin Onibokun.

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Oluwatosin Onibokun, Adeline Boatin, and Khady Diouf declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Informed consent was obtained from Dr. Adeline Boatin (one of the co-authors) whose picture is included in this article.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

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Onibokun, O., Boatin, A. & Diouf, K. The Role of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery in Sub Saharan Africa. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep 5, 333–340 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-016-0184-9

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