Publications by authors named "Albert Lazaro"
Article Synopsis
- Traumatic spinal injury (TSI) presents a major health challenge globally, especially in low and middle-income nations like Tanzania where road traffic accidents (RTAs) are on the rise.
- A study analyzed data from 626 patients to compare demographic and injury patterns between TSI caused by RTAs and non-RTA events, revealing that RTAs had fewer male patients and more cervical injuries.
- Despite the differences in demographics, the study found no significant variations in treatment outcomes, underscoring the need for balanced resource distribution for spinal injury care.
Article Synopsis
- Quality health care in low and middle-income countries is limited by financing, particularly affecting patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).
- A study in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, analyzed the impact of patients' ability to pay on their critical care management, separating patients into those who could afford care and those who couldn't.
- Results indicated that while those who could pay had access to CT scans significantly more often, mechanical ventilation rates were similar across both groups, highlighting the financial disparities in access to optimal care.
Background: Cervical spine trauma (CST) leads to devastating neurologic injuries. In a cohort of CST patients from a major East Africa referral center, we sought to () describe presentation and operative treatment patterns, () report predictors of neurologic improvement, and () assess predictors of mortality.
Methods: A retrospective, cohort study of CST patients presenting to a tertiary hospital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, was performed.
Objective: Given the high burden of neurotrauma in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), in this observational study, the authors evaluated the treatment and outcomes of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) accessing care at the national neurosurgical institute in Tanzania.
Methods: A neurotrauma registry was established at Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute, Dar-es-Salaam, and patients with severe TBI admitted within 24 hours of injury were included. Detailed emergency department and subsequent medical and surgical management of patients was recorded.
Study Design: Retrospective case series.
Objective: Little is known about operative management of traumatic spinal injuries (TSI) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In patients undergoing surgery for TSI in Tanzania, we sought to (1) determine factors involved in the operative decision-making process, specifically implant availability and surgical judgment; (2) report neurologic outcomes; and (3) evaluate time to surgery.
Study Design: Retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis.
Objectives: While the incidence of traumatic spine injury (TSI) is high in low-middle income countries (LMICs), surgery is rarely possible due to cost-prohibitive implants. The objective of this study was to conduct a preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis of operative treatment of TSI patients in a LMIC setting.
Study Design: Retrospective, case-control study.
Objectives: In a traumatic spinal injury (TSI) cohort from Tanzania, we sought to: (1) describe potential risk factors for pressure ulcer development, (2) present an illustrative case, and (3) propose a low-cost outpatient protocol for prevention and treatment.
Setting: Tertiary referral hospital.
Study Design: Retrospective, cohort study of a prospectively collected database.
Objectives: In a cohort of patients with traumatic spine injury (TSI) in Tanzania who did not undergo surgery, we sought to: (1) describe this nonoperative population, (2) compare outcomes to operative patients, and (3) determine predictors of nonoperative treatment.
Setting: Tertiary referral hospital.