Mapping neuroendoscopy practices: an assessment of endoscopic practices and training needs across Latin American and African countries.
Guilherme Mansur, Leopoldo Mandic Ferreira Furtado, Jose Aloysio da Costa Val Filho, Rodrigo Moreira Faleiro, Jose Mauricio Siqueira, Jair Raso, Roberto Alexandre Dezena, Samuel Tau Zymberg, Artur Cunha, Luis Alencar Borba, Mikail Sallé, Daniel M Prevedello, Diego Armando Servian Duarte, Ellianne J Dos Santos Rubio, Adilson de Oliveira, Álvaro Córdoba, Adrian Caceres Chacon, Lucas Ramos Lima
Author Information
Guilherme Mansur: Department of Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. ORCID
Leopoldo Mandic Ferreira Furtado: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Vila da Serra, Nova Lima, Brazil. ORCID
Jose Aloysio da Costa Val Filho: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Vila da Serra, Nova Lima, Brazil.
Rodrigo Moreira Faleiro: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Felicio Rocho, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. ORCID
Jose Mauricio Siqueira: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Felicio Rocho, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Jair Raso: Department of Neurosurgery, Faculdade Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. ORCID
Roberto Alexandre Dezena: Department of Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. ORCID
Samuel Tau Zymberg: Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil. ORCID
Artur Cunha: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital da Restauração, Recife, Brazil. ORCID
Luis Alencar Borba: Department of Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. ORCID
Mikail Sallé: Hospital Central de Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique.
Daniel M Prevedello: Department of Neurological Surgery, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. ORCID
Diego Armando Servian Duarte: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Nacional de Itaugua, Itauguá, Paraguay.
Ellianne J Dos Santos Rubio: Department of Neurosurgery, Curação Medical Center, Willemstad, Curaçao. ORCID
Adilson de Oliveira: Centro de Estudos Avançados em formação e educação médica (CEDUMED), Medical School, Agostinho Neto University, Luanda, Angola.
Álvaro Córdoba: Department of Neurosurgery, ASESP- CASMU, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Adrian Caceres Chacon: Servicio Neurocirugía, Hospital Nacional de Niños "Dr. Carlos Saenz Herrera", San Jose, Costa Rica.
Lucas Ramos Lima: Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Vila da Serra, Nova Lima, Brazil. rlima_lucas@hotmail.com. ORCID
Neurosurgical capabilities vary significantly across Latin American and African countries, with advanced centers having state-of-the-art technology while others struggle with basic procedures. This study aims to assess the current state of endoscopic neurosurgery in Latin American and Portuguese or Spanish-speaking African countries (LAPSSAC), focusing on infrastructure and training needs. A 50-question survey was distributed to neurosurgeons across 19 Latin American countries and six Portuguese- or Spanish-speaking African countries between May 19th and June 20th, 2023. The survey covered institutional types, residency programs, availability of endoscopic equipment, types of procedures performed, and interest in additional training. Data from 202 responses representing 216 hospitals were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Most respondents worked in public institutions (69.42%), with 58.42% having residency programs. Essential equipment for endoscopic procedures was available in 83.17% of hospitals, while 71.29% had the necessary tools for ventricular and 61.39% for skull base endoscopy. Ventricular endoscopy was performed in 89.11% of hospitals, compared to 71.78% for skull base procedures. Significant gaps in equipment and training were identified, especially in African countries. Interest in additional training was high, with 83.33% and 92.41% of respondents expressing a need for training in ventricular and skull base endoscopy, respectively. The findings highlight disparities in neurosurgical capabilities, with many centers lacking essential resources for endoscopic procedures. While most hospitals have some basic tools, there remains a need for investment in education and equipment. The study suggests that enhancing international collaborations and targeted investments could address these gaps and improve neurosurgical care in low-resource settings. Significant disparities in neuroendoscopic training and equipment exist across LAPSSAC. Addressing these disparities through strategic investments and international partnerships is essential to improving neurosurgical outcomes in these regions.
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