Bacteriology testing and antimicrobial resistance detection capacity of national tiered laboratory networks in sub-Saharan Africa: an analysis from 14 countries.

Background: Accurate detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) depends on adequate laboratory capacity. We aimed to document key weaknesses hindering AMR detection at various tiers of laboratory networks in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and analyse their significance in AMR surveillance and policies.

Methods: In this analysis, we obtained retrospective data on AMR and antimicrobial consumption from 14 countries participating in the Mapping Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Use Partnership between May 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020.

Enhancing clinical microbiology for genomic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance implementation in Africa.

Surveillance is essential in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), to monitor the extent of resistance, inform prevention, control measures, and evaluate intervention progress. Traditional surveillance methods based on phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility data offer important but limited insights into resistance mechanisms, transmission networks, and spread patterns of resistant bacterial strains. Fortunately, genomic technologies are increasingly accessible and can overcome these limitations.

1- and 2-year outcomes and predictors of weight loss after gastric sleeve to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass conversion: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Sleeve gastrectomy to Roux-en-Y bypass conversion is a commonly performed procedure, yet data are limited on outcomes and their predictors. The purpose of this study is to characterize the long-term outcomes of patients after sleeve-to-bypass conversion and identify predictors of post-conversion outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent sleeve-to-bypass conversion for obesity across four hospitals from 06/2017 to 04/2023.

Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair of Complex Aneurysm Using the Anaconda Fenestrated Device: 1-Year Results From the French Multicenter Registry.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of the fenestrated Anaconda device for the treatment of complex aortic aneurysms over 1 year in daily clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: All patients who received the graft between October 2019 and October 2020 were prospectively enrolled in an observational, multicenter national registry. The primary endpoint was the aneurysm-related 1-year mortality rate.

Advancing global antibiotic research, development and access.

The pipeline of new antibiotics is insufficient to keep pace with the growing global burden of drug-resistant infections. Substantial economic challenges discourage private investment in antibiotic research and development (R&D), with a decline in the number of companies and researchers working in the field. Compounding these issues, many countries (from low income to high income) face a growing crisis of antibiotic shortages and inequitable access to existing and emerging treatments.

Current status of resident simulation training curricula: pearls and pitfalls.

Background: Residency programs are required to incorporate simulation into their training program. Ideally, simulation provides a safe environment for a trainee to be exposed to both common and challenging clinical scenarios. The purpose of this review is to detail the current state of the most commonly used laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotic surgery simulation programs in general surgery residency education, including resources required for successful implementation and benchmarks for evaluation.

Falling short in bariatric surgery: An exploration of key barriers and motivators of attrition.

Background: In the United States, obesity-related diseases pose significant healthcare challenges, with bariatric surgery offering a potential solution. However, bariatric surgery completion rates, particularly among Black and Hispanic populations, remain low.

Objective: This study applied the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore behavioral factors influencing bariatric surgery program attrition among a majority Black participant population to inform interventions for improving attrition.

Improving equitable access for effective antibacterial: an ecosystem approach.

Background: Antibiotics are indispensable to modern healthcare, yet their equitable access remains a pressing global challenge. Factors contributing to inequities include insufficient evidence for optimal clinical use, limited registration, pricing for Reserve antibiotics, and supply chain challenges. These issues disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, exacerbating antimicrobial resistance burdens.

SAGES White Paper on the importance of diversity in surgical leadership: creating the fundamentals of leadership development (FLD) curriculum.

Background: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has long recognized and championed increasing diversity within the surgical workplace. SAGES initiated the Fundamentals of Leadership Development (FLD) Curriculum to address these needs and to provide surgeon leaders with the necessary tools and skills to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in surgical practice. In 2019, the American College of Surgeons issued a request for anti-racism initiatives which lead to the partnering of the two societies.

Age is just a number: The role of advanced age in predicting complications following ventral hernia repair with component separation.

Background: While advanced age is often considered a risk factor for complications following abdominal surgery, its impact on outcomes after complex open ventral hernia repair (VHR) with component separation technique (CST) remains unclear.

Methods: A single-center retrospective review of patients who VHR with CST from November 2008 to January 2022 was performed and cohorts were stratified by presence of advanced age (≥60 years).

Results: Of 219 patients who underwent VHR with CST, 114 patients (52.

Prospects for dog rabies elimination in Nigeria by 2030.

The attainment of the global target of zero dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 depends on functional rabies programmes. Nigeria, a rabies-endemic country, and the most populous country in Africa has a very poor rabies control strategy with a score of 1.5 out of 5 based on the Stepwise Approach towards Rabies Elimination (SARE).

Supporting the Manufacturing of Medical Supplies in Africa: Collaboration Between Africa CDC, Partners, and Member States.

Inadequate supply of PPE, vaccines, and diagnostics during the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa created an opportunity to promote local manufacturing. Authors describe Africa CDC's contributions and highlight strategies for strengthening the pandemic response.

Outcomes of Immediate Multistaged Abdominal Wall Reconstruction of Infected Mesh: Predictors of Surgical Site Complications and Hernia Recurrence.

Background: Mesh infection is one of the most devastating complications after ventral hernia repair. To date, no clear consensus exists on the optimal timing of definitive abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) after excision of infected mesh. We evaluated outcomes of immediate multistaged AWR in patients with mesh infection.

The Elephant in the Room: Racial Microaggressions and Implicit Bias in Surgical Training.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between race, experience of microaggressions, and implicit bias in surgical training.

Background: There is persistent underrepresentation of specific racial and ethnic groups in the field of surgery. Prior research has demonstrated significant sex differences among those who experience microaggressions during training.

Strengthening coordination and collaboration of one health approach for zoonotic diseases in Africa.

Despite the One Health progress made in some African countries in addressing zoonotic disease outbreaks, many still lack formal and funded One Health programs. Countries lack diagnostic capacity for zoonotic diseases, coordinated surveillance mechanisms, multisectoral response strategies and skilled workforce. With the devasting impacts of zoonotic disease outbreaks, recent epidemics have caused a loss of lives and negatively impacted the economy.

A framework to improve retention of Black surgical trainees: A Society of Black Academic Surgeons white paper.

Attrition is high among surgical trainees, and six of ten trainees consider leaving their programs, with two ultimately leaving before completion of training. Given known historically and systemically rooted biases, Black surgical trainees are at high risk of attrition during residency training. With only 4.