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The Smartphone and Cosmetic Surgery Follow-up
Edoardo Dalla Pozza, MD
Anthony Deleonibus, BA
Bahar Bassiri Gharb, MD, PhD
Gehaan D'Souza, MD
Brianna Fabiani, PA
James E. Zins, MD
Department of Plastic Surgery,
Cleveland Clinic Foundation,
Cleveland,
Ohio
2017-02-15
Presenter: Edoardo Dalla Pozza, MD
Affidavit:
Dr. Dalla Pozza significantly contributed to the study, collecting data from patients and questionnaires, analyzing data and drafting abstract and manuscript.
Director Name: Bahar Bassiri Gharb, MD, PhD
Author Category: Fellow Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Aesthetics
Background
While initially only a mean of personal communication and entertainment, smartphones are finding increasing use in the health-care. Our aim was to assess the potential benefit of a smartphone based cosmetic surgery early postoperative follow-up program. Specifically, could a plastic surgeon review of patient initiated postoperative smartphone generated photographs improve patient's experience.
Methods
From August 2015 to March 2016 a smartphone-based postoperative follow-up protocol was established for patients undergoing cosmetic procedures. At the time of discharge patients received instructions and were asked to forward a postoperative photograph of the operated area within 48-72 hours. If the patient agreed, the plastic surgeon made a return call/text the same day the picture was received to review the patient's progress. A postoperative questionnaire evaluated the patients' experience and satisfaction with the program. Patients' data including demographics, previous cosmetic procedures, current procedures and immediate postoperative complications were retrospectively reviewed along with data collected from the questionnaires.
Results
A total of 57 patients who had a cosmetic procedure were included in the study. Fifty-two patients responded to the survey.
A total of 50 (96.2%) patients reported that the process improved the quality of their postoperative experience. The protocol allowed to detect early complications in 3 cases. The physician was able to address and treat the complications the following day prior to the scheduled clinic follow-up.
Conclusion
Recent smartphones and their photography capabilities can be effectively utilized by the surgeon to both enhance the patient's postoperative experience and alert the surgeon to early postoperative problems.
