Erschienen in:
20.04.2021 | Original Article
Telemedicine follow-up is safe and efficacious for synthetic midurethral slings: a randomized, multi-institutional control trial
verfasst von:
Laura L. Giusto, Samir Derisavifard, Patricia M. Zahner, Jessica J. Rueb, Luo Deyi, Li Jiayi, Fang Weilin, Raphael de Jesus Moreira, Alexander Gomelsky, Matteo Balzarro, Howard B. Goldman
Erschienen in:
International Urogynecology Journal
|
Ausgabe 4/2022
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Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
The objective was to assess whether telemedicine-based follow-up is equivalent to office-based follow-up in the early postoperative period after routine synthetic midurethral sling placement.
Methods
This is a prospective, international, multi-institutional, randomized controlled trial. Patients undergoing synthetic midurethral sling placement were randomized to 3-week postoperative telemedicine versus office-based follow-up. The primary outcome was the rate of unplanned events. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, crossover from telemedicine to office-based follow-up, and compliance with 3- to 5-month office follow-up.
Results
We included 238 patients (telemedicine: 121 vs office: 117). No differences in demographics or medical comorbidities were noted between the study groups (p = 0.09–1.0). No differences were noted in unplanned events: hospital admission, emergency department visit, or unplanned office visit or call (14% vs 12.9%, p = 0.85) or complications (9.9% vs 8.6%, p = 0.82). Both groups were equally “very satisfied” with their surgical outcomes (71.1% vs 69%, p = 0.2). Telemedicine patients were more compliant with 3- to 5-month office follow-up (90.1% vs 79.3%, p = 0.04).
Conclusions
After synthetic midurethral sling placement, telemedicine follow-up is a safe patient communication option in the early postoperative period. Telemedicine patients reported no difference in satisfaction compared with office-based follow-up but had greater compliance with 3- to 5-month follow-up.