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World J Methodol. Jun 20, 2026; 16(2): 114180
Published online Jun 20, 2026. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i2.114180
Published online Jun 20, 2026. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i2.114180
Breaking the scalpel ceiling: Gender inequality in global transplant surgery
Eleni Avramidou, Georgios Tsoulfas, Maria Alexiou, Department of Transplantation Surgery, Center for Research and Innovation in Solid Organ Transplantation, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece
Christina Papachristou, Department of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
Author contributions: Avramidou E, Alexiou M, and Papachristou C contributed to data collection; Avramidou E conceptualized the idea, visualized and analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript; Tsoulfas G critically reviewed the manuscript; Papachristou C provided methodological guidance. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Institutional review board statement: The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School (approval No. 161/2024).
Informed consent statement: All study participants, or their legal guardian, provided informed written consent prior to study enrollment.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement-checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement-checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: De-identified participant data are available as supplementary material.
Corresponding author: Eleni Avramidou, MD, Department of Transplantation Surgery, Center for Research and Innovation in Solid Organ Transplantation, School of Medicine, Aristotle Un
Received: September 15, 2025
Revised: October 21, 2025
Accepted: January 13, 2026
Published online: June 20, 2026
Processing time: 222 Days and 22.3 Hours
Revised: October 21, 2025
Accepted: January 13, 2026
Published online: June 20, 2026
Processing time: 222 Days and 22.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This manuscript presents the results of the first worldwide cross-sectional study to document gender inequities in transplantation surgery. By surveying both transplant unit directors and female transplant surgeons, it reveals disparities in academic and leadership roles, frequent experiences of gender discrimination and sexual harassment, and highlights the need for mentorship, equitable leadership opportunities, and institutional policies that support work-life balance.