Abstract Listings 2024

Purpose

Epidemiological information regarding oculoplastic pathology in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. The NGO Ocularis has been performing academic collaborations in Mozambique for the past decade. During the last 5 years, a detailed registry has been elaborated of both patients evaluated and surgeries performed during these collaborations. Our objective is to perform a comprehensive retrospective analysis of this data.

Methods

Retrospective review of cases visited at Maputo Central Hospital and Beira Hospital (Mozambique) during cooperation campaigns of the NGO Ocularis between 2021 and 2023. Descriptive analysis based on the approach carried out, whether medical, surgical or multidisciplinary. Review of the surgeries performed and analysis of the variations in prevalence of pathology between commissions.

Results

In 7 commissions carried out between 2021 and 2023, 231 patients were visited, with an average age of 27.9 years (range 1 – 95 years), with 82 patients (35.4%) under 16 years of age. A multidisciplinary approach was used in 15 cases. In 58, medical treatment or observation was decided. 159 surgeries were performed: 61 were tumor surgeries (38.3%), of which 44 (27.6%) affected the orbit, 9 (5.6%) involved conjunctival tumors and 8 (5.0%) were related to eyelid tumors. 40 (25.1%) eyelid reconstructions were performed, secondary to trauma (26, 16.3%), cleft syndromes (6; 3.%), and Steven-Johnson syndrome (8; 5.0%). 27 (16.9%) ptosis surgeries were performed, 24 (15.0%) lacrimal duct surgeries, 3 (1.8%) anophthalmic cavity reconstructions and 2 (1.2%) lower eyelid malpositions. Reconstructive surgeries secondary to trauma decreased by 65% ​​from 2021 to 2023.

Conclusion

Results obtained reveal the prevalence of pathologies such as squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva, associated with HIV-AIDS, or Steven Johnson syndrome in sub-Saharan Africa. The variation observed in the incidence of reconstructions secondary to trauma could be related to a better primary treatment associated with the training process.

Additional Authors

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