TY - JOUR
T1 - Plastic surgery and global health
T2 - How plastic surgery impacts the global burden of surgical disease
AU - Semer, Nadine B.
AU - Sullivan, Stephen R.
AU - Meara, John G.
PY - 2010/8
Y1 - 2010/8
N2 - The global burden of surgical disease is estimated as being 11% of the total global burden of disease. In this article we discuss the portion of this burden which could be ameliorated with plastic surgical expertise. Although not necessarily seen as a major player in issues related to global health, plastic surgeons are uniquely qualified to decrease the burden of surgical disease afflicting people in the developing world. Burns, traumatic injuries, and congenital anomalies are some of the areas where the presence of plastic surgical expertise can make a significant difference in patient outcomes and thereby decrease the years of life lost due to disability due to these highly treatable conditions. In light of the severe shortage of plastic surgeons throughout the developing world, it falls to those concentrated in the developed world to harness their skills and address the vast unmet needs of the developing world so as to enhance global health.
AB - The global burden of surgical disease is estimated as being 11% of the total global burden of disease. In this article we discuss the portion of this burden which could be ameliorated with plastic surgical expertise. Although not necessarily seen as a major player in issues related to global health, plastic surgeons are uniquely qualified to decrease the burden of surgical disease afflicting people in the developing world. Burns, traumatic injuries, and congenital anomalies are some of the areas where the presence of plastic surgical expertise can make a significant difference in patient outcomes and thereby decrease the years of life lost due to disability due to these highly treatable conditions. In light of the severe shortage of plastic surgeons throughout the developing world, it falls to those concentrated in the developed world to harness their skills and address the vast unmet needs of the developing world so as to enhance global health.
KW - Global burden of surgical disease
KW - Global surgery
KW - Plastic surgery in the developing world
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77955517652&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77955517652&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.bjps.2009.07.028
DO - 10.1016/j.bjps.2009.07.028
M3 - Article
C2 - 19700380
AN - SCOPUS:77955517652
SN - 1748-6815
VL - 63
SP - 1244
EP - 1248
JO - Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
JF - Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
IS - 8
ER -