Surgeons from around the world gathered at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' annual meeting in New Orleans to discuss expanding access to plastic and reconstructive surgery training through international collaboration. The event spotlighted SHARE, the Surgeons in Humanitarian Alliance for Reconstruction, Research and Education, a platform aimed at strengthening surgical education in regions with limited resources. Discussions emphasized how partnerships can address gaps in mentorship, training infrastructure, and access to modern techniques in developing countries. Amaka Patricia Ehighibe contributed to the dialogue, stressing that sustainable progress in reconstructive surgery depends not only on skill transfer but on long-term systems of mentorship and research support. The meeting highlighted the growing role of virtual learning, cross-border mentorship, and observership programmes in reshaping surgical training globally. Organisations including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Plastic Surgery Foundation are facilitating networks that decentralize expertise from elite or high-income institutions. These efforts respond to rising global demand for reconstructive care, particularly in areas affected by trauma, burns, congenital conditions, and conflict. Collaboration was framed not as a luxury but as a necessity in advancing surgical outcomes worldwide. Knowledge exchange, joint research, and shared training models were presented as key drivers of progress. The future of plastic surgery education, participants agreed, lies in interconnected global systems rather than isolated advancements.
Amaka Patricia Ehighibe highlights collaboration as key to surgical progress, yet no Nigerian institution is named as part of the SHARE network. While mentorship systems are expanding globally, Nigerian trainees remain on the sidelines of these structured partnerships. This absence limits exposure to accredited programmes that could shape the next generation of specialists. Without inclusion, the country's reconstructive surgery development depends on individual initiative, not systemic support.
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