Plastic Surgical Outreach to Low- and Middle-income Countries and Global Health Priorities: An Analysis of 96 Nongovernmental Organizations

Abstract

Background: Conditions that are treated by surgery constitute a significant portion of the global burden of disease. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), allocation of resources toward the most cost-effective surgical procedures (essential surgery) and care delivery platforms is critical. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the plastic surgeons who work with them play a significant role in plastic surgical outreach to LMICs. However, it is unknown whether their work aligns with existing global public health recommendations. Methods: A previously established internet-based methodology was used to identify plastic surgical NGOs. Through direct correspondence with NGOs and publicly available data, plastic surgical NGOs were cataloged with respect to the subspecialty areas of plastic surgery performed, care delivery platforms, and geographic sites. These results were then compared with the existing global public health recommendations. Results: A total of 96 NGOs met inclusion criteria. The most common subspecialty area was cleft surgery (80.3%), followed by pediatric plastic surgery (46.9%). No NGOs used a continuous care delivery platform. Instead, all NGOs used an intermittent model through short-term surgical missions, of which 62.8% used a nonrotating care model and returned to the same site(s) annually, whereas 37.2% used a rotating care model. Conclusions: Most NGOs perform cleft surgery, an area considered essential surgery, and thus, collectively, the work of NGOs largely aligns with global public health priorities. However, there is room for improvement for both the types of procedures performed and the care delivery platforms to provide the most cost-effective and sustainable care.