HPB P54 General surgery telemedicine clinics: here to stay post-pandemic?

• DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znac404.149
• Publication Date: 2022-12-07T05:42:15Z
• Authors: Tomas Urbonas; Emily King; Sophia Pepes; Carlo Ceresa; Alex Gordon-Weeks; Srikanth Reddy
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 3. Good health

Abstract Background The telemedicine clinic in general surgery has become widespread since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic and remained so following relaxation restrictions on conventional face-to-face appointments. However, there been significant scepticism regarding its continued utility. In particular, is a concern that patients cannot be adequately assessed counselled for invasive procedures, which may result high cancellation rates day procedure. aim this study was to assess rate procedures booked clinics. Methods We conducted retrospective analysis surgical via hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) clinics from March 2020 November 2021. From September onwards, were only run laparoscopic cholecystectomies benign gallbladder disease. primary outcome cases Statistical done using JASP 0.16.2 software. Results identified 240 clinic. 162 (68%) female; median age population 51 (16–81). 186 (78%) had gallstones, 19 (8%) polyps, 13 (5%) secondary liver tumour, 5 (2%) cyst, pancreatic 4 (1.7%) 2 (0.8%) tumour 6 (2.5%) other pathologies. 225 (94%) underwent their first admission. Procedures included 192 cholecystectomies, 10 open segmental resections, distal pancreatectomies, 3 right hepatectomies, Whipple deroofing lymph node biopsy, 1 extended hepatectomy, left small bowel resection exploratory laparotomy. 15 (6%) cancelled surgery, 14 those cholecystectomy, resection. Only one such deemed avoidable as it have prevented by assessment. majority 212 (88%) ASA class 1–2; 28 (12%) 3. There no association between (3) (Chi square test 5% vs 14% p=0.062). Conclusions Telemedicine often option plan operative management newly referred during pandemic. Our series showed feasible counsel phone even major HPB with minimal operation.