1
|
Wireko AA, Ahluwalia A, Ali SH, Shah MH, Aderinto N, Banerjee S, Roy S, Ferreira T, Tan JK, Berjaoui C, Guggilapu S, Quarshie LS, Bharadwaj HR, Adebusoye FT, Abdul-Rahman T, Atallah O. Insights into craniosynostosis management in low- and middle-income countries: A narrative review of outcomes, shortcomings and paediatric neurosurgery capacity. SAGE Open Med 2024; 12:20503121241226891. [PMID: 38249946 PMCID: PMC10798110 DOI: 10.1177/20503121241226891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Craniosynostosis, marked by premature cranial suture fusion, necessitates prompt intervention to avert developmental, neurological, and aesthetic issues. While high-income countries have advanced in managing this condition, low- and middle-income countries grapple with substantial healthcare access disparities. This narrative review explores current craniosynostosis management in low- and middle-income countries. The review focused on studies published between 2008 and 2023. The focus was neurosurgical outcomes, and the search utilised databases like PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library and Scopus, incorporating specific keywords and phrases. An in-depth analysis of 21 included studies reveals noteworthy positive outcomes, including low mortality, successful corrections and sustained efficacy. These advancements stem from enhanced pre-operative strategies, surgical techniques and postoperative care. Nonetheless, challenges persist, encompassing complications, mortality, reoperations, and treatment disparities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries constrained by financial and expertise limitations. The enhancement of clinical practice and the formulation of effective policies in the future entail several key strategies. These include the reinforcement of specialised healthcare infrastructure and diagnostic capabilities, the ongoing training and retention of neurosurgeons, the improvement of funding mechanisms, and the promotion of equitable access. Additionally, a crucial focus is placed on fortifying paediatric neurosurgical care in low- and middle-income countries. The recommendations underscore the importance of collaborative initiatives, the development of specialised healthcare infrastructure, and the implementation of strategic policies to not only advance pediatric neurosurgical care but also to address existing gaps in management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Syed Hasham Ali
- Faculty of Medicine, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Nicholas Aderinto
- Internal Medicine Department, Lautech Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho, Nigeria
| | | | - Sakshi Roy
- School of Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Tomas Ferreira
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Saibaba Guggilapu
- Faculty of Medicine, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | | | | | | | | | - Oday Atallah
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fernandes BA, Alves B, Matosinhos AC, Calácio e Silva BL, Dias R, Hasparyk UG, Damásio J, Bastos FM, Simões e Silva AC. The use and role of telemedicine in maternal fetal medicine around the world: an up-to-date. HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY 2023; 13:365-372. [PMID: 36846740 PMCID: PMC9942621 DOI: 10.1007/s12553-023-00742-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this narrative review is to sumarize data about the use and role of telemedicine in maternal fetal medicine (MFM). Methods We searched pubmed and scopus to find articles about telemedicine in MFM by using the terms telmedicine or telehealth and maternal fetal medicine. Results Telehealth has been widely used for several medical specialties. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telehealth has gained investment and further research. Even though telemedicine in MFM has not been frequently applied, from 2020 onwards it has increased in both implementation and acceptance worldwide. The need to screen the patients in overloaded centers in a pandemic scenario required telemedicine in MFM, which has exhibited consistently good results concerning health and budget. The aim of this study was to review the telehealth programs and research focused on MFM around the world. Few studies have been applied to MFM and even fewer in developing and undeveloped countries. The majority of studies were concentrated in the USA and in Europe. Conclusion Further research is needed, especially in non-developed countries, to comprehend the potential role of telemedicine in MFM for improving the life quality of the patients, health professionals, and to be cost-efficient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruna Achtschin Fernandes
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Bernardo Alves
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Matosinhos
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Bárbara Linhares Calácio e Silva
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Raphael Dias
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Ursula Gramiscelli Hasparyk
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Júlia Damásio
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Service of Fetal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Fernando Macedo Bastos
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Service of Fetal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| | - Ana Cristina Simões e Silva
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
- Department of Pediatrcs, Faculty of Medicine, UFMG. Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, UFMG, Avenida Alfredo Balena, 190, 2nd floor, room #281, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kitov B, Kitova T, Davarski A, Kehayov I. Letter to the Editor Regarding "Telemedicine in Neurosurgery During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Where We Are 1 Year Later". World Neurosurg 2022; 163:149. [PMID: 35729813 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Borislav Kitov
- Clinic of Neurosurgery, University Hospital "St. George", Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Tanya Kitova
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
| | - Atanas Davarski
- Clinic of Neurosurgery, University Hospital "St. George", Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Ivo Kehayov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| |
Collapse
|