Neurosurgical Advancements in Tanzania

By partnering with critical care and step-down staff between CU Anschutz and MOI, the team continues to improve the critical care of neurosurgical patients in Tanzania. In addition to extensive equipment donations, the program invests significantly in the education of providers and nurses in the region. The team also works extensively with physiotherapy personnel to improve rehabilitation services. The global neurosurgery team collaborates with CU Anschutz Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation to improve neurorehabilitation education.

Luis Cava, MD leads monthly virtual didactic sessions to teach critical care principles. He also leads patient care discussions to improve patient management in real time. Quality improvement projects help identify areas of improvement and how to overcome treatment challenges in a resource-limited environment.

The team’s efforts extend beyond MOI, with previous outreach to cities throughout Tanzania and more planned for the future.

Intraoperative Ultrasound in Neurosurgery

Ultrasound is a low-cost and effective alternative form of intraoperative guidance and imaging. In 2018, a training program was created to teach intraoperative ultrasound for brain and spine surgery at MOI. During annual visits, CU Anschutz neurosurgeons provide basic training and demonstrations with hand-on courses.

Stereotactic Surgery in Tanzania

Through strategic partnerships, the team developed novel ultrasound guided tubular retractors for minimally invasive cranial procedures requiring no disposables for use, then trained MOI neurosurgeons on how to use it.

A benefit of this technology is the improved treatment of hypertensive hemorrhagic stroke. This technology improves functional outcomes for stroke patients and enables MOI neurosurgeons to perform smaller craniotomies for tumor resections, abscess surgeries, and other pathologies while reducing operative times and shrinking surgical incisions.

The global neurosurgery team developed a partnership with Rutgers University to donate equipment and train MOI neurosurgeons to use a cranial stereotactic frame. This system allows neurosurgeons to perform precise localization deep in the brain for functional procedures, stereotactic needle biopsies, and abscess drainage. These technologies will improve the safety and efficacy of neurosurgery for patients in Tanzania.

International Neurosurgery Symposium in Tanzania

CU Anschutz Neurosurgery and MOI faculty and residents host an International Neuro-Oncology, Neurovascular and Neurocritical Care Symposium annually in Dar es Salaam. The conference includes didactic lectures, practical sessions, and live OR demonstrations for physicians and nurses in East Africa. Breakout sessions cover all aspects of neurosurgical patient care and clinical practice. The symposium has over 150 attendees each year.

Watch a video about the neurosurgery symposium in Tanzania. 

About the Muhimbili Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute

The neurosurgery faculty at MOI complete neurosurgical training at various locations around the world before returning to Tanzania to improve neurosurgical care in their home country. In 2017 MOI, with assistance from the CU Anshutz global neurosurgery team, established a neurosurgery residency training program to further expand neurosurgical care throughout the region.