Point-of-care ultrasound is an accurate, time-saving, and cost-effective modality for post-operative imaging after pyeloplasty.
Healthcare efficiency
Point-of-care ultrasound
Post-operative imaging
Pyeloplasty
Journal
Journal of pediatric urology
ISSN: 1873-4898
Titre abrégé: J Pediatr Urol
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101233150
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Aug 2020
Aug 2020
Historique:
received:
24
03
2020
revised:
10
05
2020
accepted:
17
05
2020
pubmed:
27
6
2020
medline:
22
6
2021
entrez:
27
6
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Dismembered pyeloplasty is considered the gold standard treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Although the frequency and timing of follow up imaging after pyeloplasty is variable, renal ultrasound (RUS) is commonly utilized. With minimal training, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be easily performed by a urologist during a post-operative visit. Our hypothesis is that POCUS is an accurate, time-saving, and cost-effective alternative to a complete retroperitoneal ultrasound (CRUS) performed by the Radiology Department after pyeloplasty. The clinical records of all children who underwent pyeloplasty (by any method) over a 12 month period at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The exact timing and method (POCUS vs. CRUS) of follow up imaging was surgeon-dependent. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the time and cost of POCUS vs. CRUS. The clinical course of each patient who had each type of imaging was assessed. A total 45 patients were included in this analysis. Over a mean follow up period of 29 months, a total of 73 CRUS and 67 POCUS were performed. Each CRUS on average added 2 h to each patient's healthcare encounter. Had the 73 CRUS been performed as POCUS instead, this would have corresponded to $83,751 less charges to payers. There was no difference in the rate of the detection of worsening, stable, or improved hydronephrosis (HN) between either modality (p > 0.05). The recommended follow up time for observed HN was no different between CRUS and POCUS (p > 0.05). Children with worsening HN on POCUS underwent functional studies without confirmatory CRUS. Interestingly, two patients had metachronous, contralateral UPJO discovered during post-operative imaging. These were both discovered by POCUS. Nineteen (42%) patients who had attended at least one post-operative visit were eventually loss to follow-up. This occurred exclusively in those who did not have worsening ultrasound (p < 0.01). There was no difference in the loss to follow-up after POCUS (8) or CRUS (12) (p > 0.05). POCUS performed by a urologist is an accurate assessment of HN after pyeloplasty with time and cost savings to compared to a CRUS performed by a radiologist. POCUS is not associated with any difference in rate of detection of worsening HN or rate of loss to follow up.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Dismembered pyeloplasty is considered the gold standard treatment for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Although the frequency and timing of follow up imaging after pyeloplasty is variable, renal ultrasound (RUS) is commonly utilized. With minimal training, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be easily performed by a urologist during a post-operative visit.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
Our hypothesis is that POCUS is an accurate, time-saving, and cost-effective alternative to a complete retroperitoneal ultrasound (CRUS) performed by the Radiology Department after pyeloplasty.
STUDY DESIGN
METHODS
The clinical records of all children who underwent pyeloplasty (by any method) over a 12 month period at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The exact timing and method (POCUS vs. CRUS) of follow up imaging was surgeon-dependent. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the time and cost of POCUS vs. CRUS. The clinical course of each patient who had each type of imaging was assessed.
RESULTS
RESULTS
A total 45 patients were included in this analysis. Over a mean follow up period of 29 months, a total of 73 CRUS and 67 POCUS were performed. Each CRUS on average added 2 h to each patient's healthcare encounter. Had the 73 CRUS been performed as POCUS instead, this would have corresponded to $83,751 less charges to payers. There was no difference in the rate of the detection of worsening, stable, or improved hydronephrosis (HN) between either modality (p > 0.05). The recommended follow up time for observed HN was no different between CRUS and POCUS (p > 0.05). Children with worsening HN on POCUS underwent functional studies without confirmatory CRUS. Interestingly, two patients had metachronous, contralateral UPJO discovered during post-operative imaging. These were both discovered by POCUS. Nineteen (42%) patients who had attended at least one post-operative visit were eventually loss to follow-up. This occurred exclusively in those who did not have worsening ultrasound (p < 0.01). There was no difference in the loss to follow-up after POCUS (8) or CRUS (12) (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
POCUS performed by a urologist is an accurate assessment of HN after pyeloplasty with time and cost savings to compared to a CRUS performed by a radiologist. POCUS is not associated with any difference in rate of detection of worsening HN or rate of loss to follow up.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32586774
pii: S1477-5131(20)30324-7
doi: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2020.05.156
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
472.e1-472.e6Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.