Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open (Nov 2024)

Surgical Capacity Assessment and Leverage in the Palestinian Land (SCALPEL-I) Study: The First Nationwide Plastic Surgery Capacity Evaluation in Palestine

  • Osaid Alser, MD, MSc(Oxon),
  • Laith Ayasa, MD,
  • Mohammed Alhabil, MD,
  • Shahd Idais, MD,
  • Ayah Almzayyen, MD,
  • Majdeddin MohammedAli, MD,
  • Reem Younes, MD,
  • Heba Alghoul, MD,
  • Muath Alser, MD,
  • Bryce Stash, MD,
  • Roba Khundkar, MD,
  • Timothy Goodacre, MD,
  • Amanda Gosman, MD,
  • Andrea Pusic, MD,
  • Deepak Bharadia, MD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006265
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 11
p. e6265

Abstract

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Background:. Access to surgical care in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in war-torn areas such as the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), is a global health priority. The plastic surgical capacity in the oPt has not been evaluated. This study provides the first systematic evaluation of plastic surgical capacity in the oPt. Methods:. A cross-sectional study conducted between December 2022 and February 2023 included facilities providing plastic surgery services in the oPt, except private centers run by nonsurgeons. A modified PIPES (personnel, infrastructure, procedures, equipment, and supplies) tool was used. Data were analyzed for geographic and private/public disparities. Results:. Eleven facilities were included; 6 (54.5%) were in the West Bank and 5 (45.5%) in Gaza. The majority were private hospitals (n = 6, 54.5%). The mean PIPES score was personnel = 4.3 (4.03), infrastructure = 18.4 (2.4), procedures = 9.8 (3.8), equipment = 19.2 (3.6), and supplies = 22.4 (1.9). Hospital beds, operating rooms, and plastic surgeons per 100,000 people were 33.5, 1.0, and 0.5, respectively. There were 8 board-certified plastic surgeons. No facilities had a plastic surgery residency program. Key deficiencies included: 8 facilities (72.2%) not performing microsurgical free tissue transfers (none in Gaza), 5 (45.5%) lacking a system to identify complications, and 7 (63.3%) not offering regular educational courses. Average power supply was 8.0 hours/day in Gaza and 24.0 hours/day in the West Bank. Conclusions:. Plastic surgical capacity in the oPt shows significant deficiencies, especially in Gaza. These findings should inform stakeholders to address disparities, develop training programs, and improve access to safe plastic surgery.