Work

A TURP without a foot pedal—making do in a resource poor setting

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Delivering surgical services in low- and middle-income countries often requires adaptability and ingenuity due to resource limitations. This case report describes how a visiting surgical team in a Pacific Island nation overcame the absence of a diathermy foot pedal during a transurethral resection of the prostate by collaborating with both on-site and remote biomedical engineers. The team modified a handheld pencil diathermy to mimic foot pedal functionality. The procedure was successfully completed without complications. This case highlights the challenges faced by visiting teams in low- and middle-income countries and the importance of collaboration and innovation in overcoming equipment shortages.

Source: Journal of Surgical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjaf703

Authors: Liam Strabac, Kathryn McLeod, Rick Catterwell, Richard Grills

Institutions: Deakin University, Barwon Health, Geelong Hospital, The University of Adelaide

Language: English

Topic: Global Health and Surgery

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,000