title: Laparoscopic surgery for gynecologic cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): An area of need.
abstract: Over 90% of people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not have access to surgical care. In the absence of appropriate surgical care, there is high morbidity and mortality from surgically curable diseases, such as cervical cancer. Laparoscopic surgery for gynecologic cancer in LMICs is extremely limited. The benefits of laparoscopy over open surgery are even more pronounced in LMICs than in resource-rich countries. Barriers to implementation of laparoscopic surgery in LMICs should be identified and addressed in order to improve global cancer care and the lives of women worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cherng-Jye
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Jeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
authors.forename: Linus T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Chuang
keywords: Gynecologic malignancy; Laparoscopy; Low- and middle-income countries