Primary Cleft Rhinoplasty with Custom Suture Needle for Alar Cartilage Repositioning in Unilateral Cleft Lip Patients: 3D Nasal Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Primary nasal correction has been demonstrated to be a beneficial practice for patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. However, there is currently no consensus among cleft surgeons regarding the ideal approach to addressing the malpositioned cartilages. This study aims to introduce a new surgical technique for repositioning deformed lower lateral cartilage during primary cleft rhinoplasty, which involves using a customized suture needle. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary university-affiliated hospital. PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective study included 51 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate who underwent primary rhinoplasty during the labial repair. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A morphological analysis of the nose was conducted using three-dimensional (3D) photographs. The cleft-to-noncleft side ratios of various nasal parameters, including nasal tip volume, nostril width, height, and area, were calculated at three time points: preoperative (T0), 3 months postoperative (T1), and 1 year postoperative (T2). RESULTS: Significant improvement (p < 0.05) was observed in the cleft-to-noncleft side ratios of nasal volume and nostril parameters. The nasal volume ratio and nostril height ratio remained stable, with no significant differences between the T1 and T2 periods. The nostril width ratio increased from 0.96 ± 0.13 at T1 to 1.05 ± 0.16 at T2, indicating an appropriate degree of surgical overcorrection of nasal width during primary lip repair. CONCLUSION: Primary cleft rhinoplasty using a Chang's needle allows direct suture placement in the intercartilaginous region with minimally invasive approach, thereby preserving growth potential of the nose and restoring the nasal symmetry.

Surgery-First Orthognathic Approach to Correct Facial Asymmetry: Artificial Intelligence-Based Cephalometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The surgery-first orthognathic approach has been applied at our institution since 2007. However, its indications remain debated. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of the surgery-first approach to correct facial asymmetry compared to the traditional orthodontics-first approach using a novel artificial intelligence-based cephalometric analysis. METHODS: Intervention outcomes of surgery-first (n = 33) and orthodontics-first (n = 26) approaches to correct facial asymmetry were examined. Patients with facial asymmetry who had undergone orthognathic surgery from January of 2006 to January of 2019 were included in the study. In the surgery-first approach, the novel preoperative simulation process on the dental model was performed to determine the final occlusion without presurgical orthodontic treatment. Changes in cephalometric landmarks were compared using the supervised deep learning process developed at our institution. RESULTS: The surgery-first approach without presurgical orthodontic treatment corrected facial asymmetry and yielded results similar to those of the traditional orthognathic approach. The statistical analysis revealed that changes in skeletal cephalometric landmarks were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The surgery-first orthognathic approach without presurgical orthodontic treatment treated facial asymmetry, possibly suggesting a possible paradigm shift in treatment. In addition, artificial intelligence-based cephalometric analysis was an effective tool. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Anterior Nasal Spine Relocation With Cleft Orthognathic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: In unilateral cleft nasal deformity, the skeletal, and cartilaginous framework of nose is deformed. The anterior nasal spine (ANS) is usually displaced to the non-cleft-side. In cleft orthognathic surgery, ANS relocation can help correct the deviated ANS and nasal septum and might lead to an improved esthetic and functional outcome. METHODS: Patients with unilateral cleft lip who underwent two-jaw orthognathic surgery between July 2016 and July 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. During conventional two-jaw orthognathic surgery, the ANS was separated from the maxilla. The separated ANS with the attached septum was fixed on the maxillary midline by wiring. Computed tomography scan was used to measure the septal deviation angle and septal deviation from the midline. RESULTS: The septal deviation from the maxillary midline decreased following surgery (preoperative versus postoperative: 4.6 ±â€Š1.0 mm versus 3.2 ±â€Š1.2 mm; P = 0.016). The coronal septal deviation angle was widened after ANS relocation, although the transverse septal deviation angle remained unchanged (coronal septal deviation angle, preoperative versus postoperative: 146.7 ±â€Š12.6 versus 159.8 ±â€Š7.6; P = 0.01; transverse septal deviation angle, preoperative versus postoperative: 156.5 ±â€Š11.7 versus 162.8 ±â€Š7.7; P = 0.128). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that simultaneous ANS relocation with orthognathic surgery is a viable option for cleft-related deformities, considering the resultant caudal septum straightening and stable structural support observed in the long-term.

Surgery-first orthognathic approach for the correction of facial asymmetry.

We aimed to compare the reliability of the surgery-first approach and the traditional orthodontic-first approach for the correction of facial asymmetry based on the new classification of facial asymmetry. Patients with facial asymmetry who underwent orthognathic surgery between January 2016 and January 2019 were included. Cephalometric changes and relapse ratios were analyzed 12 months before and after surgery. Patients were divided into horizontal and vertical asymmetry groups based on the asymmetry vector, and subgroup analysis was conducted. The surgery-first approach without presurgical orthodontic treatment and the orthodontic-first approach showed a similar degree of asymmetry correction and skeletal stability. The relapse ratios of the maxilla height in the surgery-first and orthodontic-first groups were 0.25 ± 0.21 and 0.27 ± 0.25, respectively (p = 0.63), the relapse ratios of the maxilla width were 0.31 ± 0.32 and 0.21 ± 0.2, respectively (p = 0.14), the mandibular height relapse ratios were 0.34 ± 0.58 and 0.29 ± 0.36, respectively (p = 0.69), and the mandibular width relapse ratios were 0.12 ± 0.22 and 0.26 ± 0.31, respectively (p = 0.058). The treatment period of the surgery-first group (18.5 ± 5.3 months) was significantly shorter than that of the orthodontic-first group (22.9 ± 7.5 months, p = 0.024). Among the surgery-first group, patients with vertical asymmetry (15.0 ± 3.2 months) had a shorter treatment than those with horizontal asymmetry (21.6 ± 6.8 months, p = 0.006). Although contesting traditional standards is always challenging, the surgery-first orthognathic approach may lead to a new era in traditional orthognathic approaches. This new classification of facial asymmetry could be useful and practical when treating patients with facial asymmetry regardless of the etiology.

Three-dimensional Photogrammetric Analysis of Facial Soft-to-Hard Tissue Ratios After Bimaxillary Surgery in Facial Asymmetry Patients With and Without Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by facial port-wine stains. Most patients with facial asymmetry due to SWS have soft and/or hard tissue hypertrophy and require both soft tissue correction and bone surgery. In our experience, because SWS patients are more likely than non-SWS patients to be dissatisfied after bone surgery because of limited soft tissue change, we compared soft tissue changes after bimaxillary surgery between facial asymmetry patients with and without SWS.All patients-5 with SWS and 5 without SWS-underwent bimaxillary surgery by a single surgeon. Soft-to-hard ratios were determined using the preoperative and postoperative vertical lengths from the intersection point between the external orbital contour laterally and the oblique orbital line (LO) to the occlusion line (OL) and the LO to the mandible angle (AG) on cephalography and the distances between the lateral canthus (LC) and oral commissure (OC) and between the LC and soft tissue gonion (Go') on 3-dimensional scanned images.The average change in the [LC-OC] to [LO-OL] ratio was 23.03% ± 10.09% in SWS patients and 88.05% ± 10.44% in non-SWS patients (P = 0.008). The average change in the [LC-Go'] to [LO-AG] ratio was 35.54% ± 15.47% in SWS patients and 78.90% ± 47.56% in non-SWS patients (P = 0.032).Soft-to-hard tissue ratios after orthognathic surgery are significantly smaller in SWS patients than in non-SWS patients. This information is important for preoperative patient counseling, managing patient expectations, enhancing results, and planning the second-stage soft tissue surgery.

Three-Dimensional Analysis of Airway Change After LeFort III Midface Advancement With Distraction.

INTRODUCTION: LeFort III midface advancement using the distraction technique became the standard method for the correction of various craniofacial syndromes accompanied by the midface retrusion. Midface hypoplasia is known to be related to the imbalance in facial aesthetics, malocclusion, and the airway problem. This study aimed to evaluate the change in airway volume after performing a LeFort III midface advancement with the distraction techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2008 and February 2013, 7 patients aged 5 to 7 years underwent standard LeFort III osteotomy, followed by distraction with a rigid external distractor with or without internal distractor. The degree of advancement of the midface and the airway volume were evaluated with 3-dimensional computed tomography scans and the 3-dimensional software. RESULTS: The average latent period was 3.57 days. The average manual distraction distance was 17.55 mm for 3.82 weeks. The consolidation period ranged from 3 to 7 months. Changes between the preoperative and postoperative airway volumes were remarkable. The average preoperative postpharyngeal airway volume was 5649.33 mm compared with an average postoperative airway volume of 7403.44 mm. Therefore, the average postpharyngeal airway space increased by a remarkable 32.78%. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation revealed that the LeFort III midface advancement using distraction could increase postpharyngeal airway space by approximately 33% when the midface is advanced by approximately 18 mm. This method could be used as a future reference for LeFort III midface advancement with distraction.

Cleft-Related Orthognathic Surgery Based on Maxillary Vertical Lengthening of the Anterior Facial Height.

BACKGROUND: The conventional approach during orthognathic surgery for cleft-related deformities has focused largely on restoration of maxilla retrusion, using the maxillary advancement as a standard treatment objective. However, the authors thought that maxillary vertical shortening and deficient incisor show could be additional key elements of cleft-related deformities. Although slight vertical lengthening can be obtained with only maxillary advancement, it would not be enough to obtain satisfactory aesthetic results in terms of the anterior facial height. The authors hypothesized that vertical deficiency and anteroposterior maxillary retrusion exists in cleft-related deformities. Therefore, orthognathic surgery including intentional vertical lengthening and advancement would be better than the conventional simple advancement. METHODS: A new approach was used to treat consecutive patients with dentofacial deformities between December of 2007 and December of 2016. Patients with cleft-related dentofacial deformities were included in the study. RESULTS: Forty-one patients with cleft-related dentofacial deformities were included. The distance from the nasion to the incisor tip was 76.70 mm; the angle of the lines connecting the sella, nasion, and point A was 74.03 degrees; and the incisor show was 1.02 mm. Corresponding measurements in 40 patients without clefts were 81.57 mm, 80.08 degrees, and 3.38 mm, respectively. Postoperatively, the average vertical lengthening achieved was 0.88 mm in the simple maxillary advancement group and 7.65 mm in the intentional vertical lengthening accompanied by maxillary advancement group. CONCLUSION: The authors' results suggest that simultaneous maxillary vertical lengthening with horizontal advancement is a viable approach to orthognathic surgery for cleft-related deformities, given the long-term stability of outcomes demonstrated in this study. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Alveolar Molding Effect in Infants With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Comparison of Two- and Three-Dimensional Measurements.

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) measurements for the alveolar molding effect in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. The sample consisted of 23 unilateral cleft lip and palate infants treated with nasoalveolar molding (NAM) appliance. Dental models were fabricated at initial visit (T0; mean age, 23.5 days after birth) and after alveolar molding therapy (T1; mean duration, 83 days). For 3D measurement, virtual models were constructed using a laser scanner and 3D software. For 2D measurement, 1:1 ratio photograph images of dental models were scanned by a scanner. After setting of common reference points and lines for 2D and 3D measurements, 7 linear and 5 angular variables were measured at the T0 and T1 stages, respectively. Wilcoxon signed rank test and Bland-Altman analysis were performed for statistical analysis. The alveolar molding effect of the maxilla following NAM treatment was inward bending of the anterior part of greater segment, forward growth of the lesser segment, and decrease in the cleft gap in the greater segment and lesser segment. Two angular variables showed difference in statistical interpretation of the change by NAM treatment between 2D and 3D measurements (ΔACG-BG-PG and ΔACL-BL-PL). However, Bland-Altman analysis did not exhibit significant difference in the amounts of change in these variables between the 2 measurements. These results suggest that the data from 2D measurement could be reliably used in conjunction with that from 3D measurement.

Can a surgery-first orthognathic approach reduce the total treatment time?

Although pre-surgical orthodontic treatment has been accepted as a necessary process for stable orthognathic correction in the traditional orthognathic approach, recent advances in the application of miniscrews and in the pre-surgical simulation of orthodontic management using dental models have shown that it is possible to perform a surgery-first orthognathic approach without pre-surgical orthodontic treatment. This prospective study investigated the surgical outcomes of patients with diagnosed skeletal class III dentofacial deformities who underwent orthognathic surgery between December 2007 and December 2014. Cephalometric landmark data for patients undergoing the surgery-first approach were analyzed in terms of postoperative changes in vertical and horizontal skeletal pattern, dental pattern, and soft tissue profile. Forty-five consecutive Asian patients with skeletal class III dentofacial deformities who underwent surgery-first orthognathic surgery and 52 patients who underwent conventional two-jaw orthognathic surgery were included. The analysis revealed that the total treatment period for the surgery-first approach averaged 14.6 months, compared with 22.0 months for the orthodontics-first approach. Comparisons between the immediate postoperative and preoperative and between the postoperative and immediate postoperative cephalometric data revealed factors that correlated with the total treatment duration. The surgery-first orthognathic approach can dramatically reduce the total treatment time, with no major complications.

Medial Femoral Condyle Free Flap for Premaxillary Reconstruction in Median Facial Dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: Median facial dysplasia is a distinct development anomaly of the craniofacial region that is characterized by deficient mid facial structures. Medial femoral condyle free flap could be used as a bony flap, and the unique characteristics of this flap provide the surgeons with the periosteal component as well. In this work, the authors present our experience with a patient of median facial dysplasia with unilateral cleft lip, cleft palate, and premaxillary deficiency. METHODS: The patient was diagnosed with median facial dysplasia accompanied by unilateral cleft lip, cleft palate, and premaxillary. She had presented with severe midface hypoplasia with missing premaxillary bone. Premaxillary reconstruction was performed with the use of medial femoral condyle free flap. RESULTS: Medial femoral condyle free flap was successfully used for premaxillary reconstruction. The flap fitted well to the alveolar bony gap. Since the flap is a periosteal bone flap, the gingival mucosa was reconstructed very well. The lip harmony was considerably restored compared with the preoperative status. CONCLUSIONS: Although several other options are available, the medial femoral condyle free flap is particularly suited for the reconstruction of median facial dysplasia.

Risk factor analysis of bone resorption following secondary alveolar bone grafting using three-dimensional computed tomography.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The purpose of this study is to analyze the risk factors for bone resorption following secondary bone grafting in the alveolar cleft, using three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) based on surgical simulation software (SimPlant OMS, Materialise Dental, Leuven, Belgium). METHODS: We reviewed the secondary alveolar bone grafts performed by a single surgeon between January 2005 and January 2014. A total of 40 patients with unilateral alveolar cleft were included in this study. The grafted alveolar bone was measured using surgical simulation software. In order to validate the measurement, each data set was measured by three different analysts and the inter- and intraobserver variabilities were calculated. A total of eight risk factors for grafted bone survival, including patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), palatal fistula, amount of grafted bone, dental appliance, canine or incisor eruption, and preoperative upper respiratory tract infection, were evaluated using the linear mixed model and Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The average alveolar defect size was 4.98 cc and the average graft survival was 67.5%. The inter- and intraobserver variabilities of simulation software were 0.758 and 0.915, respectively. Among the risk factors, only dental appliance (p = 0.02) and canine eruption (p = 0.041) were significantly correlated with graft survival. Other risk factors, including the amount of grafted bone, did not show a significant relationship with graft survival. CONCLUSION: Measurement of an alveolar bone defect using a simulation program based on 3D CT is reliable and reproducible. Secondary bone grafting survival was significantly correlated with canine eruption and dental appliance in the alveolar cleft.

Frontal soft tissue analysis using a 3 dimensional camera following two-jaw rotational orthognathic surgery in skeletal class III patients.

Although two dimensional cephalometry is the standard method for analyzing the results of orthognathic surgery, it has potential limits in frontal soft tissue analysis. We have utilized a 3 dimensional camera to examine changes in soft tissue landmarks in patients with skeletal class III dentofacial deformity who underwent two-jaw rotational setback surgery. We assessed 25 consecutive Asian patients (mean age, 22 years; range, 17-32 years) with skeletal class III dentofacial deformities who underwent two-jaw rotational surgery without maxillary advancement. Using a 3D camera, we analyzed changes in facial proportions, including vertical and horizontal dimensions, facial surface areas, nose profile, lip contour, and soft tissue cheek convexity, as well as landmarks related to facial symmetry. The average mandibular setback was 10.7 mm (range: 5-17 mm). The average SNA changed from 77.4° to 77.8°, the average SNB from 89.2° to 81.1°, and the average occlusal plane from 8.7° to 11.4°. The mid third vertical dimension changed from 58.8 mm to 57.8 mm (p = 0.059), and the lower third vertical dimension changed from 70.4 mm to 68.2 mm (p = 0.0006). The average bigonial width decreased from 113.5 mm to 109.2 mm (p = 0.0028), the alar width increased from 34.7 mm to 36.1 mm (p-value = 0.0002), and lip length was unchanged. Mean mid and lower facial surface areas decreased significantly, from 171.8 cm(2) to 166.2 cm(2) (p = 0.026) and from 71.23 cm(2) to 61.9 cm(2) (p < 0.0001), respectively. Cheek convexity increased significantly, from 171.8° to 155.9° (p = 0.0007). The 3D camera was effective in frontal soft tissue analysis for orthognathic surgery, and enabled quantitative analysis of changes in frontal soft tissue landmarks and facial proportions that were not possible with conventional 2D cephalometric analysis.

Treatment algorithm for bilateral alveolar cleft based on the position of the premaxilla and the width of the alveolar gap.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The efficacy of conventional secondary bone grafting is limited in instances of a bilateral alveolar cleft with a wide cleft gap and malpositioning of the premaxilla. The purpose of this study is to suggest a systematic algorithm to guide individualised treatment of a bilateral alveolar cleft according to the position of the premaxilla and the width of the alveolar gap. METHOD: A total of 51 patients with bilateral alveolar clefts were investigated between January 2000 and February 2008. The average age was 9.2 years, and the mean follow-up period was 47 months. Conventional alveolar bone grafting (ABG) was performed for patients with both a narrow cleft gap and acceptable position of the premaxilla. Patients with both a wide cleft gap and acceptable premaxilla position were initially managed by interdental distraction osteogenesis. Premaxilla repositioning was indicated in patients with both sagittally and/or vertically unfavoured positioning of the premaxilla. The extent of bone resorption following bone grafting was evaluated using the Abyhölm criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Of 102 grafts, 98 grafts (96.1%) showed satisfactory bony take (Grade I-II). Only four grafts (3.9%) exhibited a poor outcome, with more than 50% bony resorption (Grade III-IV). The average hospital stay was 5.7 days and no serious complications were observed. Our approach resulted in satisfactory surgical outcomes. This suggests the feasibility of a standardised approach for the correction of a bilateral alveolar cleft. Our algorithm should be helpful for systematic and coordinated team approaches to rectify bilateral alveolar clefts.

Dual midfacial distraction osteogenesis for Crouzon syndrome: long-term follow-up study for relapse and growth.

PURPOSE: Rigid external distraction osteogenesis is regarded as a standard treatment for congenital midfacial hypoplasia. However, external distraction for the upper portion of the midface is not as effective and tends to rotate the midfacial segment in a counterclockwise direction. Moreover, patients poorly tolerate it because of the device's bulkiness. To prevent such drawbacks of an external distractor, both external and internal distractors were synchronously applied to patients with Crouzon syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 6 patients with Crouzon syndrome in whom a dual-distraction technique was applied, distraction of the midfacial region was performed for up to a mean length of 15.3 mm. The external distractor was removed after a 1-month consolidation period, but the internal distractor was maintained for more than 6 months. The degree of advancement of the midface and ossification was measured with lateral cephalometry and 3-dimensional computed tomography imaging, respectively. RESULTS: At long-term follow-up (mean, 4.6 years), the facial contours retained the initial distraction geometry with almost no relapse, showing that the ideal facial contour and occlusion could be obtained. Bone deposition was found to be continually progressing even 6 months postoperatively, and more than 6 months of consolidation was required for complete ossification that mainly occurred in the pterygomaxillary junction and lateral orbital wall. CONCLUSIONS: The dual-distraction technique can induce balanced growth without the recurrence of hypoplasia, and it may eventually yield satisfactory outcomes in Crouzon syndrome.

The association between the supply of primary care physicians and population health outcomes in Korea.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several studies reported that primary care improves health outcomes for populations. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the supply of primary care physicians and population health outcomes in Korea. METHODS: Data were extracted from the 2007 report of the Health Insurance Review, the 2005 report from the Korean National Statistical Office, and the 2008 Korean Community Health Survey. The dependent variables were age-adjusted all-cause and disease-specific mortality rates, and independent variables were the supply of primary care physicians, the ratio of primary care physicians to specialists, the number of beds, socioeconomic factors (unemployment rate, local tax, education), population (population size, proportion of the elderly over age 65), and health behaviors (smoking, exercise, using seat belts rates). We used multivariate linear regression as well as ANOVA and t tests. RESULTS: A higher number of primary care physicians was associated with lower all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and cardiovascular mortality. However, the ratio of primary care physicians to specialists was not related to all-cause mortality. In addition, the relationship between socioeconomic variables and mortality rates was similar in strength to the relationship between the supply of primary care physicians and mortality rates. Accident mortality, suicide mortality, infection mortality, and perinatal mortality were not related to the supply of primary care physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The supply of primary care physicians is associated with improved health outcomes, especially in chronic diseases and cancer. However, other variables such as the socioeconomic factors and population factors seem to have a more significant influence on these outcomes.

[Impact of health insurance type on the quality of hemodialysis services: a multilevel analysis].

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare quality indicators for the hemodialysis services between patients with health insurance and those with medical aid. METHODS: This study used data from sampled hospitals that provided a hemodialysis service. A total of 2,287 patients were selected, and the information for hemodialysis service has been granted from medical record reviews. A multi-level regression analysis was used to examine the differences in process and outcome indicators for hemodialysis between patients with health insurance and those with medical aid. Process indicators were defined as: frequency of hemodialysis, hemodialysis time, erythropoietin (EPO) use, measurement of hemodialysis dose at least once a month, measurement of phosphate at least once every three months, and measurement of albumin at least once every three months. Outcome indicators were defined as: hemodialysis adequacy, anemia management, blood pressure management, and calcium, phosphate and nutrition management. The total scores for outcome indicators ranged from 0 (worst) to 4 (best). RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the measurement of hemodialysis dose at least once a month between patients with health insurance and those with medical aid (OR 0.66, 95% CI=0.43-0.99). However, frequency of hemodialysis, hemodialysis time, EPO use, measurement of phosphate at least once every three months, measurement of albumin at least once every three months, hemodialysis adequacy management, Hb >or= 11 g/dL, blood pressure within the range of 100-140/60-90 mmHg, calcium x phosphate or= 4 g/dL were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in outcome indicators for hemodialysis between the groups. Further studies are warranted into the mechanism that results in no differences in the outcome indicators for hemodialysis.

Who pays for health care in Asia?

We estimate the distributional incidence of health care financing in 13 Asian territories that account for 55% of the Asian population. In all territories, higher-income households contribute more to the financing of health care. The better-off contribute more as a proportion of ability to pay in most low- and lower-middle-income territories. Health care financing is slightly regressive in three high-income economies with universal social insurance. Direct taxation is the most progressive source of finance and is most so in poorer economies. In universal systems, social insurance is proportional to regressive. In high-income economies, the out-of-pocket (OOP) payments are proportional or regressive while in low-income economies the better-off spend relatively more OOP. But in most low-/middle-income countries, the better-off not only pay more, they also get more health care.