Extending universal health coverage to informal workers: A systematic review of health financing schemes in low- and middle-income countries in Southeast Asia.

Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) is a priority of most low- and middle-income countries, reflecting governments' commitments to improved population health. However, high levels of informal employment in many countries create challenges to progress toward UHC, with governments struggling to extend access and financial protection to informal workers. One region characterized by a high prevalence of informal employment is Southeast Asia. Focusing on this region, we systematically reviewed and synthesized published evidence of health financing schemes implemented to extend UHC to informal workers. Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched for both peer-reviewed articles and reports in the grey literature. We appraised study quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists for systematic reviews. We synthesized extracted data using thematic analysis based on a common conceptual framework for analyzing health financing schemes, and we categorized the effect of these schemes on progress towards UHC along the dimensions of financial protection, population coverage, and service access. Findings suggest that countries have taken a variety of approaches to extend UHC to informal workers and implemented schemes with different revenue raising, pooling, and purchasing provisions. Population coverage rates differed across health financing schemes; those with explicit political commitments toward UHC that adopted universalist approaches reached the highest coverage of informal workers. Results for financial protection indicators were mixed, though indicated overall downward trends in out-of-pocket expenditures, catastrophic health expenditure, and impoverishment. Publications generally reported increased utilization rates through the introduced health financing schemes. Overall, this review supports the existing evidence base that predominant reliance on general revenues with full subsidies for and mandatory coverage of informal workers are promising directions for reform. Importantly, the paper extends existing research by offering countries committed to progressively realizing UHC around the world a relevant updated resource, mapping evidence-informed approaches toward accelerated progress on the UHC goals.

Predictive model estimating the decrease of postoperative gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) in patients after elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection for diverticular disease.

BACKGROUND: Growing consideration in quality of life (QoL) has changed the therapeutic strategy in patients suffering from diverticular disease. Patients' well-being plays a crucial role in the decision-making process. However, there is a paucity of studies investigating patients' or surgery-related factors influencing the postoperative gastrointestinal function. The aim of this study was to investigate in a predictive model patients or surgical variables that allow better estimation of the postoperative gastrointestinal QoL. METHODS: This observational study retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis between 2004 and 2017. The one-time postoperative QoL was assessed with the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) in 2019. A linear regression model with stepwise selection has been applied to all patients and surgery-related variables. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-two patients with a mean age of 62.30 ± 9.74 years showed a mean GIQLI of 116.39±18.25 at a mean follow-up time of 90.4±33.65 months. Women (n=168) reported a lower GIQLI compared to male (n=104; 112.85±18.79 vs 122.11±15.81, p<0.001). Patients with pre-operative cardiovascular disease (n=17) had a worse GIQLI (106.65 ±22.58 vs 117.08±17.66, p=0.010). Finally, patients operated less than 5 years ago (n=63) showed a worse GIQLI compared to patients operated more than 5 years ago (n=209; 111.98±19.65 vs 117.71±17.63, p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Female gender and the presence of pre-operative cardiovascular disease are predictive for a decreased postoperative gastrointestinal QoL. Furthermore, patients' estimation of gastrointestinal functioning seems to improve up to 5 years after surgery.

Long-term urogenital assessment after elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection for diverticulitis: a comparison between central and peripheral vascular resection.

AIM: Increasing attention has been given to postoperative gastrointestinal functional outcome and quality of life after sigmoid resection for diverticulitis. Conversely, very little has been described about postoperative urogenital functional outcome and even less about its potential relationship to the type of vascular approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether central ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) compared with peripheral dissection could impair urinary and sexual function in the long term. METHOD: Patients undergoing elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection for diverticulitis from 2004 to 2017 were retrospectively analysed. They were asked to complete the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) questionnaire. Men received the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Patients were then divided according to the type of vascular resection. RESULTS: A response rate of the 36.4% to the AUASI and 43.8% to the IIEF-5 questionnaires was achieved. Three hundred and twenty four patients with a mean age of 62 ± 9.85 years were analysed for their urinary function (IMA preserved n = 217; IMA resected n = 107) in a median follow-up of 87 months. Furthermore, 115 men with a mean age of 60 ± 8.97 years were investigated for their sexual function (IMA preserved n = 80; IMA resected n = 35) in a median follow-up of 89 months. No difference (AUASI: 8 ± 6.32 IMA preserved vs. 7 ± 6.26 IMA resected, P = 0.204; IIEF-5: 15 ± 7.67 IMA preserved vs. 15 ± 8.61 IMA resected, P = 0.674) was found regarding the type of vascular approach during sigmoid resection. CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between the type of vascular approach and the long-term urogenital functional outcome in patients undergoing sigmoid resection for diverticulitis.

Management of traumatic meniscus tears: the 2019 ESSKA meniscus consensus.

PURPOSE: The importance of meniscus integrity in the prevention of early osteoarthritis is well known, and preservation is accepted as the primary goal. The purpose of the ESSKA (European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy) European consensus on traumatic meniscus tears was to provide recommendations for the treatment of meniscus tears based on both scientific evidence and the clinical experience of knee experts. METHODS: Three groups of surgeons and scientists elaborated and ratified the so-called formal consensus process to define the recommendations for the management of traumatic meniscus tears. A traumatic meniscus tear was defined as a tear with an acute onset of symptoms caused by a sufficient trauma. The expert groups included a steering group of eight European surgeons and scientists, a rating group of another nineteen European surgeons, and a peer review group. The steering group prepared twenty-seven question and answer sets based on the scientific literature. The quality of the answers received grades of A (a high level of scientific support), B (scientific presumption), C (a low level of scientific support) or D (expert opinion). These question and answer sets were then submitted to and evaluated by the rating group. All answers were scored from 1 (= totally inappropriate) to 9 (= totally appropriate) points. Thereafter, the comments of the members of the rating group were incorporated by the steering group and the consensus was submitted to the rating group a second time. Once a general consensus was reached between the steering and rating groups, the finalized question and answer sets were submitted for final review by the peer review group composed of representatives of the ESSKA-affiliated national societies. Eighteen representatives replied. RESULTS: The review of the literature revealed a rather low scientific quality of studies examining the treatment of traumatic meniscus tears. Of the 27 questions, only one question received a grade of A (a high level of scientific support), and another received a grade of B (scientific presumption). The remaining questions received grades of C and D. The mean rating of all questions by the rating group was 8.2 (95% confidence interval 8.1-8.4). A general agreement that MRI should be performed on a systematic basis was not achieved. However, MRI was recommended when arthroscopy would be considered to identify concomitant pathologies. In this case, the indication for MRI should be determined by a musculoskeletal specialist. Based on our data, stable left in situ lateral meniscus tears appear to show a better prognosis than medial tears. When repair is required, surgery should be performed as early as possible. Evidence that biological enhancement such as needling or the application of platelet-rich plasma would improve healing was not identified. Preservation of the meniscus should be considered as the first line of treatment because of an inferior clinical and radiological long-term outcome after partial meniscectomy compared to meniscus repair. DISCUSSION: The consensus was generated to present the best possible recommendations for the treatment of traumatic meniscus tears and provides some groundwork for a clinical decision-making process regarding the treatment of meniscus tears. Preservation of the meniscus should be the first line of treatment when possible, because the clinical and radiological long-term outcomes are worse after partial meniscectomy than after meniscus preservation. The consensus clearly states that numerous meniscus tears that were considered irreparable should be repaired, e.g., older tears, tears in obese patients, long tears, etc. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Idiopathic localised dilatation of the intestine in adults.

Idiopathic localised dilatation of the intestine (ILDI) presenting in adults is rare and difficult to diagnose. Only 18 cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of a 32-year-old woman presenting with abdominal pain and intermittent small bowel obstruction. After detailed radiological studies, the patient, known for Crohn's disease, was scheduled for laparoscopy in the suspicion of small bowel stricture. A localised dilatation of the ileum was found intraoperatively and subsequently resected. A systematic review of this rare pathology in adults is carried out. ILDI should be part of the differential diagnosis in patients with unexplained abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding in the presence of segmental dilatation of the intestine. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice.

Peripheral vs pedicle division in laparoscopic resection of sigmoid diverticulitis: a 10-year experience.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic rectosigmoid resection is the standard surgical treatment for recurrent sigmoid diverticulitis. However, speaking of mesenterium division, no unique standard procedure is actually provided. Surgeons can perform it at the level of either the sigmoid vessels or the inferior mesenteric vessels. The objective of this study was to compare intra- and postoperative complications of both techniques. METHODS: From a prospective collected database of patients that underwent elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection between January 2004 and December 2014, a retrospective analysis according to the selected operative technique was performed. RESULTS: A total of 1016 patients were operated, and a pedicle division of the mesenteric vessels was performed in 280 patients (central group 27.6%) while a peripheral division was performed in 736 patients (peripheral group 72.4%). Comparison of these two groups demonstrated no statistically significant difference regarding age or stage of disease. Thirteen patients (1.3%) developed anastomotic leak; among them, nine belonged to the peripheral group (1.2 vs 1.4% p = 0.794). Twenty-four patients (2.4%) developed postoperative rectal bleeding but only in nine cases was a bleeding of the anastomosis confirmed using endoscopy (seven peripheral group vs two central group, 0.95 vs 0.7% p = 0.712). Moreover, postoperative morbidity did not significantly differ between the two groups. A very low mortality rate was observed, with 2 deaths (both in the peripheral group). CONCLUSIONS: Ligation of inferior mesenteric vessels does not seem to affect anastomotic healing; both surgical techniques presented similar incidence of anastomotic bleeding. In this analysis, we could not identify any significant difference in overall morbidity and mortality.

3D patient imaging and retrieval analysis help understand the clinical importance of rotation in knee replacements.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to correlate highly accurate CT measurements of pre-revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implant position with findings of retrieval analysis post-revision, to understand the clinical relevance of TKA orientation. METHODS: This study involved 53 retrieved TKA implants with pre-revision 3D-CT scans used to determine coronal (varus-valgus), sagittal (tibial slope) and rotational (internal rotation-external rotation) TKA orientation as well as tibiofemoral leg axis. Differences between femoral and tibial angles to describe the "relative rotational mismatch" were also calculated. All tibial inserts were forensically analyzed using the Hood score. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate correlations between TKA component orientation and surface damage (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Femoral components were found to have axial rotations mainly within ± 3° (68%), whilst 45% of the tibial components and 66% of the relative rotational mismatches were > 3° and < - 3°, respectively. The majority of femoral and tibial components (87% in both cases), as well as the femorotibial angle (70%), showed coronal orientations within ± 3°. The 64% of the tibial components showed posterior tibial slopes out of both the 0°-3° and 5°-7° ranges. There was a significant correlation between tibial slope and damage score on polyethylene tibial inserts (r = 0.2856; p = 0.0382) as well as a significant correlation between implants' position in the axial plane and damage score on polyethylene tibial inserts (r = 0.6537, p = 0.0240). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to use accurate measurements from pre-revision 3DCT to compare tibial and femoral orientation in all three planes with retrieval findings in total knee replacements. A significant correlation between implant position and polyethylene surface damage was found. These results showed the importance of optimizing component position to minimize polyethylene damage. Further analysis involving more accurate polyethylene wear measurements are fundamental to fully understand the role of components' orientation in TKAs.

Patterns of bone tracer uptake on SPECT-CT in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with primary total hip arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to compare bone tracer uptake (BTU) on SPECT/CT in symptomatic and asymptomatic total hip arthroplasty (THA) and identify a possible relationship between BTU patterns and patient's symptoms. The secondary purpose was to investigate if the fixation methods (cemented versus uncemented) lead to different BTU patterns. METHODS: A total of 58 THAs, 31 symptomatic (group S) and 27 asymptomatic (group AS), were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. All symptomatic patients underwent standardized detailed history, clinical examination, radiographs and 99mTc-HDP SPECT/CT. BTU in SPECT/CT was quantified in three dimensions and anatomically localized in a scheme of quadrants and levels using a customized previously validated software. T tests were used on both quadrants and levels inside and between groups. A Pearson correlation was performed for BTU within the quadrants. An area under receiver operating characteristic curves was drawn in order to find a BTU value that could differentiate the two groups. Within the groups, patients with cemented and uncemented stems were compared for influences on BTU intensity. RESULTS: The causes of pain were identified in 61% of the patients. The most common problem was aseptic loosening (n = 12). In group AS, levels 1, 2 and 5 had similar BTUs. BTUs in these levels were significantly higher than in level 3, 4 and 6. In group S, no significant differences were seen in terms of BTU in level 1-5. However, BTU here was significantly higher than at level 6 (p < 0.001). In both groups, level 1, the superior, had a significantly higher BTU than level 2 (group AS p < 0.01, group S p < 0.05). Comparing the BTU of the two groups among levels, significant differences were found for level 4, level 5 and the entire stem areas (p < 0.05). The ROC curve calculated on the whole stem allowed identification of a BTU ratio of 3.1 that separated the 92.6% patients of group AS with BTU < 3.1 from the 54.8% of patients of group S with a BTU ≥ 3.1. With regards to the fixation technique, only the BTU at the level 6 in group S presented a significant difference between cemented and uncemented stems (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher BTU levels significantly correlated with symptoms, but a normal BTU could not exclude a specific pathology after THA. A threshold of BTU in SPECT/CT was identified to distinguish between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients after THA.

Influence of surgical approach on heterotopic ossification after total hip arthroplasty - is minimal invasive better? A case control study.

BACKGROUND: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a well-known complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Recently, the trend is to operate THA minimally invasive being less traumatic than standard approaches and promising a faster return to activity. The purpose of the study was to investigate if minimal invasive surgery (MIS), leads also to less HO after THA. METHODS: This retrospective study included 134 consecutive patients undergoing THA. In 42 (31.3%) patients a standard modified anterolateral (STD-Watson-Jones), in 28 (20.9%) patients a standard transgluteal Bauer approach (STD-Bauer), in 39 (29.1%) a MIS direct anterior approach (AMIS) and in 25 (18.7%) patients a MIS anterolateral (MIS-AL) approach was used. Standard preoperative anterior-posterior and lateral radiographs were assessed for occurrence of HO. HO was classified according to Brooker. In addition, short- and long-term adverse events were noted. Data was statistically analyzed using Chi-square tests, analysis of variance, multivariate data analysis and Pearson's correlation (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Overall, HO was found in 38 caucasian patients (28.4%) after THA. The STD-Watson-Jones group showed the highest HO rate (45.2% n = 19) with a significant difference to the AMIS (23.1% n = 9) and STD-Bauer approach (14.3% n = 4). No statistical difference was found to the MIS-AL approach (24.0% n = 6). Postoperative complications did not differ significantly except for a higher incidence of Trendelenburg`s sign in STD-Bauer. CONCLUSIONS: The rate and degree of HO after THA were significantly different with regards to the surgical approach. The standard modified anterolateral approach resulted in the highest HO rate, however, MIS approaches showed higher HO rates than the STD-Bauer.