Out of Africa: three generalisable lessons about clinical research

Abstract

The African Surgical Outcomes Study (ASOS) was a 7-day prospective cohort study of 11 422 adult patients having inpatient surgery at 247 hospitals in 25 African nations in 2016.1 Despite being relatively young and fit, 18% of these patients experienced in-hospital complications and 2% died. Infection was the most common complication, occurring in 10% of patients. The investigators concluded that increased access to high-quality surgery and improved surveillance for deteriorating postoperative physiology are urgently required.