Determining the Clinical Value of Routine Post Operative follow up in Common Paediatric Surgical Conditions: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: The traditional postoperative visit consists of an in-person hospital visit at a predetermined date which requires the investment of time and resources. This implies a need to prioritize visits rather than mandating them, which can be assessed by the requirement of clinical intervention at the time of follow-up. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical value of routine postoperative physical follow-up in common pediatric surgery conditions, to identify factors determining follow-up, and to estimate the cost of routine follow-up.

Materials and methods: Surgical data of 226 patients admitted for routine pediatric surgical procedures were collected. The postoperative period was documented in detail and interventions done either physically or telephonically at the time of follow-up were used as a proxy measure of clinical value.

Results: There were 226 patients enrolled, of which 64.60% followed up physically in outpatient department and 35.40% followed up telephonically. Maximum percentage of patients with postoperative complications belonged to the group of laparotomy at 22.22%, followed by complicated appendicitis at 15.62%. 13.27% of patients required clinical intervention at the time of follow-up.

Conclusion: Patients undergoing simpler procedures such as inguinal hernia, hydrocele, and orchidopexy have lesser rate of complications which translates to requirement of fewer clinic visits, whereas those undergoing procedures such as appendectomy and laparotomy require a physical visit after discharge since they are more susceptible to develop complications requiring interventions. By selecting patients for physical visit, we can potentially eliminate unnecessary visits in patients who have low chance of developing complications.

Keywords: Clinical value; follow-up; pediatric surgery; telemedicine.