You have accessJournal of UrologyImaging/Radiology: Uroradiology1 Apr 20112206 INCIDENCE AND IMPLICATIONS OF ABDOMINAL IMAGING IN THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING ROBOT-ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY (RALRP) Tom Feng, Elias Hyams, Jithin Johannan, Phil Pierorazio, Misop Han, Satomi Kawamoto, Elliot Fishman, and Mohamad Allaf Tom FengTom Feng Baltimore, MD More articles by this author , Elias HyamsElias Hyams Baltimore, MD More articles by this author , Jithin JohannanJithin Johannan Baltimore, MD More articles by this author , Phil PierorazioPhil Pierorazio Baltimore, MD More articles by this author , Misop HanMisop Han Baltimore, MD More articles by this author , Satomi KawamotoSatomi Kawamoto Baltimore, MD More articles by this author , Elliot FishmanElliot Fishman Baltimore, MD More articles by this author , and Mohamad AllafMohamad Allaf Baltimore, MD More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.2446AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The incidence and clinical impact of abdominal imaging in the acute postoperative period for patients undergoing transperitoneal RALRP are unknown. Imaging studies may have critical clinical and cost implications. We evaluated abdominal imaging studies performed within 30 days of RALRP and assessed their impact on patient management. METHODS We queried our prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing transperitoneal RALRP between December 2004 and March 2009 for abdominal imaging studies -computed tomography (CT) and plain radiography (AXR) - performed within 30 days of surgery. The indications, findings, and implications for patient management were recorded. The effects of surgeon experience, patient demographics, and disease factors on the likelihood of obtaining imaging were also analyzed. RESULTS Of 881 patients undergoing RALRP, 7.0% (62) underwent an abdominal imaging study within 30 days (51 CT, 22 AXR). Primary indications were abdominal pain and/or distention (60%). 70% of studies were performed during the initial hospitalization, 20.5% in the emergency room, and 12.3% in the elective outpatient setting. Among CT scans, the most common positive findings were anastamotic leak (16%), pelvic hematoma (12%), and bowel obstruction (7.8%). Among AXR, 77% (17) revealed either small bowel obstruction pattern (27%) or ileus (50%). Imaging was performed at mean postoperative day 6.3 and 2.6 days for CT and AXR, respectively. Mean length of stay was significantly longer for those with imaging (4.4 vs 1.8 days) (p<0.05). Of those imaged after discharge, 46% (11) were readmitted. 23% (14) had procedures performed based on imaging results. There were no significant differences in patient or disease characteristics among those with and without imaging (p>0.05). There was also no significant correlation between the likelihood of ordering an imaging study for individual surgeons in their early versus late surgical experience (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Less than 10% of patients undergoing RALRP receive abdominal imaging in the acute postoperative period. The frequency of ordering postoperative imaging does not seem to correlate with surgeon experience or patient and disease characteristics. Imaging however when obtained altered management in the majority of cases. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e884-e885 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Tom Feng Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Elias Hyams Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Jithin Johannan Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Phil Pierorazio Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Misop Han Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Satomi Kawamoto Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Elliot Fishman Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Mohamad Allaf Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...