Economic evaluation of expanding inguinal hernia repair among adult males in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone faces a substantial backlog of patients with inguinal hernia in need of repair due to a shortage of surgical providers. The current mitigation strategy includes task-sharing with associate clinicians and non-specialist medical doctors, and the economic impact of this approach needs assessment for potential scale-up. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of open mesh repair of inguinal hernias by associate clinicians and non-specialist medical doctors in adult males (>18 years) compared to no treatment, as well as between the two provider types and to estimate the budget impact of clearing the backlog in Sierra Leone.

[Task sharing - a solution for rich and poor?].

The global shortage of surgical and anesthesiologic specialists is partly overbridged by task sharing to unspecialized physicians (often called "medical officers" and non-physician staff (often called »associate clinicians"). Task sharing is defined as the delegation of specific tasks from those who traditionally carry them out, to someone with shorter training. There is ample evidence for good patient outcomes after surgeries carried out through task sharing to associate clinicians, especially for hernia repairs, acute laparotomies, orthopaedic surgeries, and caesarean sections.

Enhancing Lignin-Carbohydrate Complexes Production and Properties With Machine Learning.

Lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs) present a unique opportunity for harnessing the synergy between lignin and carbohydrates for high-value product development. However, producing LCCs in high yields remains a significant challenge. In this study, we address this challenge with a novel approach for the targeted production of LCCs.

Long-Term Outcomes Following Inguinal Hernia Repair With Mesh Performed by Medical Doctors and Surgeons in Ghana.

Objective: To assess long-term outcomes following inguinal hernia repair with mesh performed by medical doctors and surgeons in Ghana.

Background: Task sharing of surgical care with nonsurgeons can increase access to essential surgery. Long-term safety and outcomes of task sharing are not well-described for hernia repair.