TITLE:
Reasons for Elective Surgery Cancellations in a Senegalese Pediatric Surgery Department
AUTHORS:
Cheikh Tidiane Mbaye, Cheikh Diouf, Florent Tshibwid A Zeng, Faty Balla Lô, Lissoune Cissé, Doudou Gueye, Ibrahima Bocar Wellé, Souleymane Camara, Papa Alassane Mbaye, Oumar Ndour, Gabriel Ngom
KEYWORDS:
Cancellation, Elective Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, LMICs, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.14 No.5,
August
21,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Cancellation of elective surgery is common in developing countries. This decision is difficult to make as it generates economic and organizational consequences for the healthcare facility and an additional source of stress for patients and their caregivers. This study aimed to analyze the various aspects of this medical problem. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective and descriptive study over six months (from January 1st, 2017, to June 30th, 2017) at the pediatric surgery department of Aristide Le Dantec University Teaching Hospital in Senegal. Results: Ninety-one cases were collected. The cancellation rate was 20.8%. Infants were affected in 36.3% of cases. Among anesthesiologists, 83.5% were residents, and 16.5% were specialists. Cancellation in nephroblastoma children with an indication for extended nephrectomy represented 15.4% of cases. Concerning reasons for cancellation, comorbidities, dominated by respiratory infections, accounted for 28.5% of cases, patient absences for 24.2%, and issues related to the anesthesiologist for 17.6%. Cancellations were avoidable in 33% of cases. Patients were responsible for cancellation in 37.4% of cases, the healthcare system in 33%, and medical reasons in 29.7%. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that one-third of cancellations could have been avoided with improvements in the healthcare system. Actions should be taken to reduce the cancellation rate in our context.