Exploring Health Inequalities and Presurgical Attitudes on Postsurgical Outcomes in Spine Surgery.

Objective: The influence of social determinants of health on health disparities is substantial. However, their impact on postsurgical outcomes in spine can be challenging to ascertain at the community level. This study aims to explore the interplay between presurgical attitudes, area deprivation index (ADI), income, employment status, and body mass index (BMI) on postsurgical outcomes at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after elective spine surgery.

Transfusion Guidelines in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Currently Available Evidence.

Our study aims to provide a synthesis of the best available evidence on the hemoglobin (hgb) red blood cell (RBC) transfusion thresholds in adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, as well as describing the risk factors and outcomes associated with RBC transfusion in this population. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science electronic databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to assess articles discussing RBC transfusion thresholds and describe complications secondary to transfusion in adult TBI patients in the perioperative period. Fifteen articles met search criteria and were reviewed for analysis.

Transfusion Guidelines in Brain Tumor Surgery: A Systematic Review and Critical Summary of Currently Available Evidence.

Objective: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is commonly indicated in brain tumor surgery due to risk of blood loss. Current transfusion guidelines are based on evidence derived from critically ill patients and may not be optimal for brain tumor surgeries. Our study is the first to synthesize available evidence to suggest RBC transfusion thresholds in brain tumor patients undergoing surgery.

Evaluating the impact of neurosurgical rotation experience in Africa on the interest and perception of medical students towards a career in neurosurgery: a protocol for a continental, cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Africa has the second highest neurosurgical workforce deficit globally. Despite the many recent advancements in increasing neurosurgical access in Africa, published reports have shown that the vast majority of undergraduate students have little or no exposure to neurosurgery. The lack of exposure may pose a challenge in reducing the neurosurgical workforce deficit, which is one of the long-term strategies of tackling the unmet burden of disease.