Should Routine Postoperative Clinic Visits Be Phased Out?

Abstract

Introduction Postoperative clinic visits are often considered routine practice in pediatric surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine family preferences regarding routine clinic visits among those presenting for postoperative visits. Methods Patients aged 18–21 years or the parents/guardians of patients aged 0–17 years who underwent appendectomy, pyloromyotomy, umbilical/inguinal hernia repair, circumcision, or supernumerary digit removal between November 18, 2015, and October 28, 2016, were approached at the postoperative visit to complete a survey. Results The survey was completed by 151 participants. Clinic visits were preferred by 66% of respondents, and this did not differ by age, educational level, urgency of operation, work/school missed, or frequency of email use. Respondents with concerns that were addressed were more likely to prefer in-office follow-up (79%) compared with those whose concerns were not addressed (44%) or those without concerns (37%; p ≤ .01). There was a trend toward preference for in-office follow-up from respondents who traveled less than 15 minutes (<15 vs. 16–30 vs. >30 minutes: 81% vs. 60% vs. 62%, respectively; p = .09) and those evaluated by surgeons (surgeon vs. advanced practice provider: 71% vs. 58%, respectively; p = .06). Additional interventions were performed in eight patients (5%). Discussion Most families who present for postoperative clinic visits prefer follow-up in clinic despite the resources required to attend the visit.