Prognostic Utility of Modified 5-Item Frailty Index on the Outcomes of Spine Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Frailty refers to a state of weakness that can arise due to age or illnesses, and frailty predisposes individuals to several adverse health outcomes. This has been postulated to prognosticate the outcome of various surgeries, including surgeries for various spine conditions; however, no meta-analysis has validated this finding.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the prognostic utility of frailty for the outcome of spine surgeries.

Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities: The Outlook of Functional Neurosurgery in Africa.

This narrative review explores the current landscape of functional neurosurgery in Africa, focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing the field. Drawing upon existing literature and expert insights, the review highlights the scarcity of resources, including trained personnel, infrastructure, and specialized equipment, as major hurdles impeding the widespread adoption of advanced neurosurgical techniques. Despite these challenges, the review identifies a growing recognition of the importance of functional neurosurgery in addressing neurological disorders prevalent across the continent.