Perspective on plastic surgery in developing nations: Experiences drawn from Sudan

Abstract

Introduction: Plastic surgery is a critical component in numerous medical specialties, playing a key role in preserving organ integrity and restoring normal functions. In many low-income countries, it is still undervalued and regarded as a luxury field. Efforts to enhance awareness and establish a plastic surgery unit have encountered several obstacles. This study aims to evaluate the delivery of plastic surgery services and the experiences of patients at a district hospital situated in areas with limited health care resources. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted to review patients who presented to the plastic and reconstruction departments from May 2022 to July 2024. All patients seen in the outpatient clinic or emergency departments for the purposes of surgical consultation and management were included in the study. Results: A total of 444 patients participated in the study. The demographic profile of the patients showed that 72.5% of them were male and 27.5% were female. Among the patients, 87.8% had acquired diseases, whereas 12.2% had congenital deformities. The data showed that elective surgeries were performed in 83.5% of the cases, and 16.5% were categorized as emergency procedures. Only nonfree flaps were used, and skin grafts were used in 26.7% of the cases. Conclusion: The establishment of plastic surgery presents significant challenges; however, it remains an essential field that offers numerous advantages to patients. Furthermore, innovative reconstruction techniques continue to demonstrate efficacy even in the absence of advanced surgical interventions.