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Jibril O Bello

Fiji National University, Surgery, Anaesthesia and Womans Health, Faculty Member

West African College Of Surgeons, Surgery / Urology, Fellow

National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Surgery, Member

Univerity of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Surgery, Consultant Urological Surgeon

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Urologist, Associate Professor and Medical Education tutor.
Striving to improve Medical education, urological research and practice in the South pacific and sub Saharan regions.
Completed urology residency and obtained the Fellowship of West African college of surgeon; Best graduating fellow.
Received the Societe Internationale d' urologie scholarship/fellowship awards (2009 and 2012).
Associate Editor of African Journal of Urology.
Published several peer-reviewed manuscripts and reviewer for many high impact surgical/urological journals.
Memberships of AUA, SIU, ACS.
Supervisors: Prof GA Rahman, Prof EO Kehinde, and Dr AA Nasir

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Papers by Jibril O Bello

Diagnosis And Outcome Of Chronic Subdural Haematomas In Ilorin

Tropical Journal of Health Sciences, 2015

Impact of preoperative patient characteristics on posturethroplasty recurrence: The significance of stricture length and prior treatments

Nigerian journal of surgery : official publication of the Nigerian Surgical Research Society, 2016

The true world incidence of urethral strictures is unknown. In Sub-Saharan Africa however, the in... more The true world incidence of urethral strictures is unknown. In Sub-Saharan Africa however, the incidence is probably higher as strictures resulting from postinfectious etiologies particularly postgonococcal urethritis remains an important contributor to the disease's burden. [1] In addition, iatrogenic strictures from inappropriate urethral catheterizations and urethral instrumentations are increasingly seen. [2] As a result, strictures seen in the region are often long and complex thus requiring definitive urethroplasty. Open urethroplasty is the gold standard for definitive treatment of urethral stricture with dilatations and urethrotomy often reserved for short segment incomplete and soft strictures. [3,4] It is also abundantly clear that urethroplasty offers the better outcomes in terms of lower recurrence rates when compared to dilatations and urethrotomies. [3,4] Repeated dilatations or urethrotomies may result in greater scarring of the urethra and longer strictures and subsequently more difficult definitive repairs with lower success rate. [5] Urethroplasty is now advised in the event of failure after a single attempt at dilatations or urethrotomy for selected strictures as repeated attempts are of no use. [5]

Routine sterile glove and instrument change at the time of abdominal wound closure to prevent surgical site infection (ChEETAh): a pragmatic, cluster-randomised trial in seven low-income and middle-income countries

The Lancet

Background Surgical site infection (SSI) remains the most common complication of surgery around t... more Background Surgical site infection (SSI) remains the most common complication of surgery around the world. WHO does not make recommendations for changing gloves and instruments before wound closure owing to a lack of evidence. This study aimed to test whether a routine change of gloves and instruments before wound closure reduced abdominal SSI. Methods ChEETAh was a multicentre, cluster randomised trial in seven low-income and middle-income countries (

Outcomes of gynecologic cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international, multicenter, prospective CovidSurg-Gynecologic Oncology Cancer study

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Timing of surgery following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: an international prospective cohort study

Anaesthesia, 2021

SummaryPeri‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this stu... more SummaryPeri‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30‐day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30‐day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30‐day mortality in patients without SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4–1.5). In patients with a pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery wi...

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and venous thromboembolism after surgery: an international prospective cohort study

Anaesthesia, 2021

SummarySARS‐CoV‐2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critica... more SummarySARS‐CoV‐2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients. Since surgical patients are already at higher risk of venous thromboembolism than general populations, this study aimed to determine if patients with peri‐operative or prior SARS‐CoV‐2 were at further increased risk of venous thromboembolism. We conducted a planned sub‐study and analysis from an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of elective and emergency patients undergoing surgery during October 2020. Patients from all surgical specialties were included. The primary outcome measure was venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis) within 30 days of surgery. SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis was defined as peri‐operative (7 days before to 30 days after surgery); recent (1–6 weeks before surgery); previous (≥7 weeks before surgery); or none. Information on prophylaxis regimens or pre‐operative anti‐coagulation for baseline comorbidities was no...

Machine learning risk prediction of mortality for patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2: the COVIDSurg mortality score

British Journal of Surgery, 2021

To support the global restart of elective surgery, data from an international prospective cohort ... more To support the global restart of elective surgery, data from an international prospective cohort study of 8492 patients (69 countries) was analysed using artificial intelligence (machine learning techniques) to develop a predictive score for mortality in surgical patients with SARS-CoV-2. We found that patient rather than operation factors were the best predictors and used these to create the COVIDsurg Mortality Score (https://covidsurgrisk.app). Our data demonstrates that it is safe to restart a wide range of surgical services for selected patients.

Correction to: Nutrients, vitamins, probiotics and herbal products: an update of their role in urolithogenesis

Urolithiasis, 2020

Prospective observational cohort study on grading the severity of postoperative complications in global surgery research

British Journal of Surgery, 2019

BackgroundThe Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting... more BackgroundThe Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting postoperative complications in clinical trials. This system classifies complication severity by the treatment provided. However, it is unclear whether the Clavien–Dindo system can be used internationally in studies across differing healthcare systems in high- (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), a prospective observational cohort study of elective surgery in adults. Data collection occurred over a 7-day period. Severity of complications was graded using Clavien–Dindo and the simpler ISOS grading (mild, moderate or severe, based on guided investigator judgement). Severity grading was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Data are presented as frequencies and ICC values (with 95 per cent c.i.). The analysis was stratified by income status of the country, comparin...

The surgical safety checklist and patient outcomes after surgery: a prospective observational cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis

British journal of anaesthesia, 2018

The surgical safety checklist is widely used to improve the quality of perioperative care. Howeve... more The surgical safety checklist is widely used to improve the quality of perioperative care. However, clinicians continue to debate the clinical effectiveness of this tool. Prospective analysis of data from the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), an international observational study of elective in-patient surgery, accompanied by a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature. The exposure was surgical safety checklist use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was postoperative complications. In the ISOS cohort, a multivariable multi-level generalized linear model was used to test associations. To further contextualise these findings, we included the results from the ISOS cohort in a meta-analysis. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. We included 44 814 patients from 497 hospitals in 27 countries in the ISOS analysis. There were 40 245 (89.8%) patients exposed to the checklist, whilst 7508 (1...

Prognostic Value of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients Presenting With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The American Journal of Cardiology, 2013

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

British Journal of Surgery

Background The Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measur... more Background The Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation. Methods This was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling a...

A systematic review of the effectiveness of journal clubs in undergraduate medicine

Canadian Medical Education Journal

Background: Training future doctors in the skills of evidence-based medicine (EBM) is clearly imp... more Background: Training future doctors in the skills of evidence-based medicine (EBM) is clearly important. Journal club (JCs) are well-recognized educational interventions for teaching EBM. In contrast to postgraduate medical education, JCs use in undergraduate medical education (UME) has not been adequately explored. We conducted a realist review of the effectiveness of JCs in UME to unpack the underlying mechanisms by which the intervention works (or fails) in teaching EBM. Methods: The scope of review was the evaluation of the effectiveness of JCs in UME settings. We searched major bibliographic databases - MEDLINE, Embase, ERIC, PSYCInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science and found fifteen articles eligible for inclusion. Data was extracted aided by a modified Kirkpatrick framework and presented in evidence tables. Themes and chains of inference were identified, and finally, we formulated new hypotheses on how and why JC intervention works. Results: Mandatory vs. voluntary JC did...

Elective surgery system strengthening: development, measurement, and validation of the surgical preparedness index across 1632 hospitals in 119 countries

The Lancet

Background The 2015 Lancet Commission on global surgery identified surgery and anaesthesia as ind... more Background The 2015 Lancet Commission on global surgery identified surgery and anaesthesia as indispensable parts of holistic health-care systems. However, COVID-19 exposed the fragility of planned surgical services around the world, which have also been neglected in pandemic recovery planning. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel index to support local elective surgical system strengthening and address growing backlogs. Methods First, we performed an international consultation through a four-stage consensus process to develop a multidomain index for hospital-level assessment (surgical preparedness index; SPI). Second, we measured surgical preparedness across a global network of hospitals in high-income countries (HICs), middle-income countries (MICs), and low-income countries (LICs) to explore the distribution of the SPI at national, subnational, and hospital levels. Finally, using COVID-19 as an example of an external system shock, we compared hospitals' SPI to their planned surgical volume ratio (SVR; ie, operations for which the decision for surgery was made before hospital admission), calculated as the ratio of the observed surgical volume over a 1-month assessment period between June 6 and Aug 5, 2021, against the expected surgical volume based on hospital administrative data from the same period in 2019 (ie, a pre-pandemic baseline). A linear mixed-effects regression model was used to determine the effect of increasing SPI score. Findings In the first phase, from a longlist of 103 candidate indicators, 23 were prioritised as core indicators of elective surgical system preparedness by 69 clinicians (23 [33%] women; 46 [67%] men; 41 from HICs, 22 from MICs, and six from LICs) from 32 countries. The multidomain SPI included 11 indicators on facilities and consumables, two on staffing, two on prioritisation, and eight on systems. Hospitals were scored from 23 (least prepared) to 115 points (most prepared). In the second phase, surgical preparedness was measured in 1632 hospitals by 4714 clinicians from 119 countries. 745 (45•6%) of 1632 hospitals were in MICs or LICs. The mean SPI score was 84•5 (95% CI 84•1-84•9), which varied between HIC (88•5 [89•0-88•0]), MIC (81•8 [82•5-81•1]), and LIC (66•8 [64•9-68•7]) settings. In the third phase, 1217 (74•6%) hospitals did not maintain their expected SVR during the COVID-19 pandemic, of which 625 (51•4%) were from HIC, 538 (44•2%) from MIC, and 54 (4•4%) from LIC settings. In the mixed-effects model, a 10-point increase in SPI corresponded to a 3•6% (95% CI 3•0-4•1; p<0•0001) increase in SVR. This was consistent in HIC (4•8% [4•1-5•5]; p<0•0001), MIC (2•8 [2•0-3•7]; p<0•0001), and LIC (3•8 [1•3-6•7%]; p<0•0001) settings. Interpretation The SPI contains 23 indicators that are globally applicable, relevant across different system stressors, vary at a subnational level, and are collectable by front-line teams. In the case study of COVID-19, a higher SPI was associated with an increased planned surgical volume ratio independent of country income status, COVID-19 burden, and hospital type. Hospitals should perform annual self-assessment of their surgical preparedness to identify areas that can be improved, create resilience in local surgical systems, and upscale capacity to address elective surgery backlogs.

A homozygous truncating ETV4 variant in a Nigerian family with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract

American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19–Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study

by Dimitris Tatsis, Alberto Porcu, Jibril O Bello, and Ryckie G Wade

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2021

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently ... more PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, a...

Spectrum of Causative Pathogens and Resistance Rates to Antibacterial Agents in Bacterial Prostatitis

Diagnostics

Objective: To evaluate spectrum and resistance rates to antibacterial agents in causative pathoge... more Objective: To evaluate spectrum and resistance rates to antibacterial agents in causative pathogens of bacterial prostatitis in patients from Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Materials: 1027 isolates from cultures of urine or expressed prostatic secretion, post-massage urine or seminal fluid, or urethral samples were considered. Results: Escherichia coli (32%) and Enterococcus spp. (21%) were the most common isolates. Other Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and atypical pathogens accounted for 22%, 20%, and 5%, respectively. Resistance was <15% for piperacillin/tazobactam and carbapenems (both Gram-negative and -positive pathogens); <5% for glycopeptides against Gram-positive; 7%, 14%, and 20% for aminoglycosides, fosfomycin, and macrolides against Gram-negative pathogens, respectively; 10% for amoxicillin/clavulanate against Gram-positive pathogens; <20% for cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones against to Gram-negative pathogens (higher against Gram-positive pathog...

Reducing surgical site infections in low-income and middle-income countries (FALCON): a pragmatic, multicentre, stratified, randomised controlled trial

The Lancet

Methods FALCON was a 2 × 2 factorial, randomised controlled trial stratified by whether surgery w... more Methods FALCON was a 2 × 2 factorial, randomised controlled trial stratified by whether surgery was cleancontaminated, or contaminated or dirty, including patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a skin incision of 5 cm or greater. This trial was undertaken in 54 hospitals in seven countries (Benin, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa). Patients were computer randomised 1:1:1:1 to: (1) 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine and non-coated suture, (2) 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine and triclosan-coated suture, (3) 10% aqueous povidone–iodine and non-coated suture, or (4) 10% aqueous povidone–iodine and triclosan-coated suture. Patients and outcome assessors were masked to intervention allocation. The primary outcome was SSI, reported by trained outcome assessors, and presented using adjusted relative risks and 95% CIs. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03700749.

Elective surgery cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic: global predictive modelling to inform surgical recovery plans

British Journal of Surgery

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine hospital services globally. This study es... more Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine hospital services globally. This study estimated the total number of adult elective operations that would be cancelled worldwide during the 12 weeks of peak disruption due to COVID-19. Methods: A global expert response study was conducted to elicit projections for the proportion of elective surgery that would be cancelled or postponed during the 12 weeks of peak disruption. A Bayesian-regression model was used to estimate 12-week cancellation rates for 190 countries. Elective surgical case-mix data, stratified by specialty and indication (surgery for cancer versus benign disease), were determined. This case mix was applied to country-level surgical volumes. The 12-week cancellation rates were then applied to these figures to calculate the total number of cancelled operations. Results: The best estimate was that 28 404 603 operations would be cancelled or postponed during the peak 12 weeks of disruption due to COVID-19 (2 367 050 operations per week). Most would be operations for benign disease (90⋅2 per cent, 25 638 922 of 28 404 603). The overall 12-week cancellation rate would be 72⋅3 per cent. Globally, 81⋅7 per cent of operations for benign conditions (25 638 922 of 31 378 062), 37⋅7 per cent of cancer operations (2 324 070 of 6 162 311) and 25⋅4 per cent of elective caesarean sections (441 611 of 1 735 483) would be cancelled or postponed. If countries increased their normal surgical volume by 20 per cent after the pandemic, it would take a median of 45 weeks to clear the backlog of operations resulting from COVID-19 disruption. Conclusion: A very large number of operations will be cancelled or postponed owing to disruption caused by COVID-19. Governments should mitigate against this major burden on patients by developing recovery plans and implementing strategies to restore surgical activity safely. * Members of the COVIDSurg Collaborative are co-authors of this study and are listed in Appendix S1 (supporting information)

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19–Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study

Journal of Clinical Oncology

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently ... more PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, a...

Diagnosis And Outcome Of Chronic Subdural Haematomas In Ilorin

Tropical Journal of Health Sciences, 2015

Impact of preoperative patient characteristics on posturethroplasty recurrence: The significance of stricture length and prior treatments

Nigerian journal of surgery : official publication of the Nigerian Surgical Research Society, 2016

The true world incidence of urethral strictures is unknown. In Sub-Saharan Africa however, the in... more The true world incidence of urethral strictures is unknown. In Sub-Saharan Africa however, the incidence is probably higher as strictures resulting from postinfectious etiologies particularly postgonococcal urethritis remains an important contributor to the disease's burden. [1] In addition, iatrogenic strictures from inappropriate urethral catheterizations and urethral instrumentations are increasingly seen. [2] As a result, strictures seen in the region are often long and complex thus requiring definitive urethroplasty. Open urethroplasty is the gold standard for definitive treatment of urethral stricture with dilatations and urethrotomy often reserved for short segment incomplete and soft strictures. [3,4] It is also abundantly clear that urethroplasty offers the better outcomes in terms of lower recurrence rates when compared to dilatations and urethrotomies. [3,4] Repeated dilatations or urethrotomies may result in greater scarring of the urethra and longer strictures and subsequently more difficult definitive repairs with lower success rate. [5] Urethroplasty is now advised in the event of failure after a single attempt at dilatations or urethrotomy for selected strictures as repeated attempts are of no use. [5]

Routine sterile glove and instrument change at the time of abdominal wound closure to prevent surgical site infection (ChEETAh): a pragmatic, cluster-randomised trial in seven low-income and middle-income countries

The Lancet

Background Surgical site infection (SSI) remains the most common complication of surgery around t... more Background Surgical site infection (SSI) remains the most common complication of surgery around the world. WHO does not make recommendations for changing gloves and instruments before wound closure owing to a lack of evidence. This study aimed to test whether a routine change of gloves and instruments before wound closure reduced abdominal SSI. Methods ChEETAh was a multicentre, cluster randomised trial in seven low-income and middle-income countries (

Outcomes of gynecologic cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international, multicenter, prospective CovidSurg-Gynecologic Oncology Cancer study

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Timing of surgery following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: an international prospective cohort study

Anaesthesia, 2021

SummaryPeri‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this stu... more SummaryPeri‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30‐day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30‐day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30‐day mortality in patients without SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4–1.5). In patients with a pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery wi...

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and venous thromboembolism after surgery: an international prospective cohort study

Anaesthesia, 2021

SummarySARS‐CoV‐2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critica... more SummarySARS‐CoV‐2 has been associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients. Since surgical patients are already at higher risk of venous thromboembolism than general populations, this study aimed to determine if patients with peri‐operative or prior SARS‐CoV‐2 were at further increased risk of venous thromboembolism. We conducted a planned sub‐study and analysis from an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of elective and emergency patients undergoing surgery during October 2020. Patients from all surgical specialties were included. The primary outcome measure was venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis) within 30 days of surgery. SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis was defined as peri‐operative (7 days before to 30 days after surgery); recent (1–6 weeks before surgery); previous (≥7 weeks before surgery); or none. Information on prophylaxis regimens or pre‐operative anti‐coagulation for baseline comorbidities was no...

Machine learning risk prediction of mortality for patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2: the COVIDSurg mortality score

British Journal of Surgery, 2021

To support the global restart of elective surgery, data from an international prospective cohort ... more To support the global restart of elective surgery, data from an international prospective cohort study of 8492 patients (69 countries) was analysed using artificial intelligence (machine learning techniques) to develop a predictive score for mortality in surgical patients with SARS-CoV-2. We found that patient rather than operation factors were the best predictors and used these to create the COVIDsurg Mortality Score (https://covidsurgrisk.app). Our data demonstrates that it is safe to restart a wide range of surgical services for selected patients.

Correction to: Nutrients, vitamins, probiotics and herbal products: an update of their role in urolithogenesis

Urolithiasis, 2020

Prospective observational cohort study on grading the severity of postoperative complications in global surgery research

British Journal of Surgery, 2019

BackgroundThe Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting... more BackgroundThe Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting postoperative complications in clinical trials. This system classifies complication severity by the treatment provided. However, it is unclear whether the Clavien–Dindo system can be used internationally in studies across differing healthcare systems in high- (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), a prospective observational cohort study of elective surgery in adults. Data collection occurred over a 7-day period. Severity of complications was graded using Clavien–Dindo and the simpler ISOS grading (mild, moderate or severe, based on guided investigator judgement). Severity grading was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Data are presented as frequencies and ICC values (with 95 per cent c.i.). The analysis was stratified by income status of the country, comparin...

The surgical safety checklist and patient outcomes after surgery: a prospective observational cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis

British journal of anaesthesia, 2018

The surgical safety checklist is widely used to improve the quality of perioperative care. Howeve... more The surgical safety checklist is widely used to improve the quality of perioperative care. However, clinicians continue to debate the clinical effectiveness of this tool. Prospective analysis of data from the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), an international observational study of elective in-patient surgery, accompanied by a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature. The exposure was surgical safety checklist use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was postoperative complications. In the ISOS cohort, a multivariable multi-level generalized linear model was used to test associations. To further contextualise these findings, we included the results from the ISOS cohort in a meta-analysis. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. We included 44 814 patients from 497 hospitals in 27 countries in the ISOS analysis. There were 40 245 (89.8%) patients exposed to the checklist, whilst 7508 (1...

Prognostic Value of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients Presenting With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The American Journal of Cardiology, 2013

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

British Journal of Surgery

Background The Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measur... more Background The Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation. Methods This was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling a...

A systematic review of the effectiveness of journal clubs in undergraduate medicine

Canadian Medical Education Journal

Background: Training future doctors in the skills of evidence-based medicine (EBM) is clearly imp... more Background: Training future doctors in the skills of evidence-based medicine (EBM) is clearly important. Journal club (JCs) are well-recognized educational interventions for teaching EBM. In contrast to postgraduate medical education, JCs use in undergraduate medical education (UME) has not been adequately explored. We conducted a realist review of the effectiveness of JCs in UME to unpack the underlying mechanisms by which the intervention works (or fails) in teaching EBM. Methods: The scope of review was the evaluation of the effectiveness of JCs in UME settings. We searched major bibliographic databases - MEDLINE, Embase, ERIC, PSYCInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science and found fifteen articles eligible for inclusion. Data was extracted aided by a modified Kirkpatrick framework and presented in evidence tables. Themes and chains of inference were identified, and finally, we formulated new hypotheses on how and why JC intervention works. Results: Mandatory vs. voluntary JC did...

Elective surgery system strengthening: development, measurement, and validation of the surgical preparedness index across 1632 hospitals in 119 countries

The Lancet

Background The 2015 Lancet Commission on global surgery identified surgery and anaesthesia as ind... more Background The 2015 Lancet Commission on global surgery identified surgery and anaesthesia as indispensable parts of holistic health-care systems. However, COVID-19 exposed the fragility of planned surgical services around the world, which have also been neglected in pandemic recovery planning. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel index to support local elective surgical system strengthening and address growing backlogs. Methods First, we performed an international consultation through a four-stage consensus process to develop a multidomain index for hospital-level assessment (surgical preparedness index; SPI). Second, we measured surgical preparedness across a global network of hospitals in high-income countries (HICs), middle-income countries (MICs), and low-income countries (LICs) to explore the distribution of the SPI at national, subnational, and hospital levels. Finally, using COVID-19 as an example of an external system shock, we compared hospitals' SPI to their planned surgical volume ratio (SVR; ie, operations for which the decision for surgery was made before hospital admission), calculated as the ratio of the observed surgical volume over a 1-month assessment period between June 6 and Aug 5, 2021, against the expected surgical volume based on hospital administrative data from the same period in 2019 (ie, a pre-pandemic baseline). A linear mixed-effects regression model was used to determine the effect of increasing SPI score. Findings In the first phase, from a longlist of 103 candidate indicators, 23 were prioritised as core indicators of elective surgical system preparedness by 69 clinicians (23 [33%] women; 46 [67%] men; 41 from HICs, 22 from MICs, and six from LICs) from 32 countries. The multidomain SPI included 11 indicators on facilities and consumables, two on staffing, two on prioritisation, and eight on systems. Hospitals were scored from 23 (least prepared) to 115 points (most prepared). In the second phase, surgical preparedness was measured in 1632 hospitals by 4714 clinicians from 119 countries. 745 (45•6%) of 1632 hospitals were in MICs or LICs. The mean SPI score was 84•5 (95% CI 84•1-84•9), which varied between HIC (88•5 [89•0-88•0]), MIC (81•8 [82•5-81•1]), and LIC (66•8 [64•9-68•7]) settings. In the third phase, 1217 (74•6%) hospitals did not maintain their expected SVR during the COVID-19 pandemic, of which 625 (51•4%) were from HIC, 538 (44•2%) from MIC, and 54 (4•4%) from LIC settings. In the mixed-effects model, a 10-point increase in SPI corresponded to a 3•6% (95% CI 3•0-4•1; p<0•0001) increase in SVR. This was consistent in HIC (4•8% [4•1-5•5]; p<0•0001), MIC (2•8 [2•0-3•7]; p<0•0001), and LIC (3•8 [1•3-6•7%]; p<0•0001) settings. Interpretation The SPI contains 23 indicators that are globally applicable, relevant across different system stressors, vary at a subnational level, and are collectable by front-line teams. In the case study of COVID-19, a higher SPI was associated with an increased planned surgical volume ratio independent of country income status, COVID-19 burden, and hospital type. Hospitals should perform annual self-assessment of their surgical preparedness to identify areas that can be improved, create resilience in local surgical systems, and upscale capacity to address elective surgery backlogs.

A homozygous truncating ETV4 variant in a Nigerian family with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract

American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19–Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study

by Dimitris Tatsis, Alberto Porcu, Jibril O Bello, and Ryckie G Wade

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2021

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently ... more PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, a...

Spectrum of Causative Pathogens and Resistance Rates to Antibacterial Agents in Bacterial Prostatitis

Diagnostics

Objective: To evaluate spectrum and resistance rates to antibacterial agents in causative pathoge... more Objective: To evaluate spectrum and resistance rates to antibacterial agents in causative pathogens of bacterial prostatitis in patients from Southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Materials: 1027 isolates from cultures of urine or expressed prostatic secretion, post-massage urine or seminal fluid, or urethral samples were considered. Results: Escherichia coli (32%) and Enterococcus spp. (21%) were the most common isolates. Other Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and atypical pathogens accounted for 22%, 20%, and 5%, respectively. Resistance was <15% for piperacillin/tazobactam and carbapenems (both Gram-negative and -positive pathogens); <5% for glycopeptides against Gram-positive; 7%, 14%, and 20% for aminoglycosides, fosfomycin, and macrolides against Gram-negative pathogens, respectively; 10% for amoxicillin/clavulanate against Gram-positive pathogens; <20% for cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones against to Gram-negative pathogens (higher against Gram-positive pathog...

Reducing surgical site infections in low-income and middle-income countries (FALCON): a pragmatic, multicentre, stratified, randomised controlled trial

The Lancet

Methods FALCON was a 2 × 2 factorial, randomised controlled trial stratified by whether surgery w... more Methods FALCON was a 2 × 2 factorial, randomised controlled trial stratified by whether surgery was cleancontaminated, or contaminated or dirty, including patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a skin incision of 5 cm or greater. This trial was undertaken in 54 hospitals in seven countries (Benin, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa). Patients were computer randomised 1:1:1:1 to: (1) 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine and non-coated suture, (2) 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine and triclosan-coated suture, (3) 10% aqueous povidone–iodine and non-coated suture, or (4) 10% aqueous povidone–iodine and triclosan-coated suture. Patients and outcome assessors were masked to intervention allocation. The primary outcome was SSI, reported by trained outcome assessors, and presented using adjusted relative risks and 95% CIs. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03700749.

Elective surgery cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic: global predictive modelling to inform surgical recovery plans

British Journal of Surgery

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine hospital services globally. This study es... more Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine hospital services globally. This study estimated the total number of adult elective operations that would be cancelled worldwide during the 12 weeks of peak disruption due to COVID-19. Methods: A global expert response study was conducted to elicit projections for the proportion of elective surgery that would be cancelled or postponed during the 12 weeks of peak disruption. A Bayesian-regression model was used to estimate 12-week cancellation rates for 190 countries. Elective surgical case-mix data, stratified by specialty and indication (surgery for cancer versus benign disease), were determined. This case mix was applied to country-level surgical volumes. The 12-week cancellation rates were then applied to these figures to calculate the total number of cancelled operations. Results: The best estimate was that 28 404 603 operations would be cancelled or postponed during the peak 12 weeks of disruption due to COVID-19 (2 367 050 operations per week). Most would be operations for benign disease (90⋅2 per cent, 25 638 922 of 28 404 603). The overall 12-week cancellation rate would be 72⋅3 per cent. Globally, 81⋅7 per cent of operations for benign conditions (25 638 922 of 31 378 062), 37⋅7 per cent of cancer operations (2 324 070 of 6 162 311) and 25⋅4 per cent of elective caesarean sections (441 611 of 1 735 483) would be cancelled or postponed. If countries increased their normal surgical volume by 20 per cent after the pandemic, it would take a median of 45 weeks to clear the backlog of operations resulting from COVID-19 disruption. Conclusion: A very large number of operations will be cancelled or postponed owing to disruption caused by COVID-19. Governments should mitigate against this major burden on patients by developing recovery plans and implementing strategies to restore surgical activity safely. * Members of the COVIDSurg Collaborative are co-authors of this study and are listed in Appendix S1 (supporting information)

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19–Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study

Journal of Clinical Oncology

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently ... more PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, a...

IP Safety 2010 abstracts 1035 TRAUMA MANAGEMENT; WHERE DID WE GO WRONG

My photographs describe the scene in most of our hospitals in Nigeria. While trauma is a leading ... more My photographs describe the scene in most of our hospitals in Nigeria. While trauma is a leading cause of death and mass casualties are frequent events in our hospitals, these patients are still subject of poor management with of course poor outcomes. The photographs show patients dumped on the fl oor on arrival due to easy overwhelming of hospital facilities. Patients are treated on chairs and on the fl oor. These photographs are meant to stimulate the audience to suggest ways of improving infrastructure and services in the developing world. We are all witness to the devastating outcomes if there are no improvements as we are now seeing in Haiti.

MOTORCYCLE TRANSPORT: A THREAT TO ROAD SAFETY IN A COMMUNITY IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA