Dear Editor,
New emerging trends in postoperative care are increasingly focused on using technology to enhance patient outcomes, minimize postoperative complications, and shorten hospital stays. Telemedicine and remote monitoring technologies must be considered the most significant advancements. Telemedicine offers virtual follow-up visits, reducing hospital readmissions for regular examinations1,2. This lowers the danger of nosocomial infections and encourages patients to return home for rehabilitation. Safe video conferencing on virtual platforms enables surgeons to monitor wound healing, listen to patients’ concerns, and change treatment plans without the need for in-person consultations3. Communication takes place in real-time. Another significant breakthrough is remote monitoring, which uses wearable devices and implanted sensors to track vital indicators, including heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and temperature4. These devices frequently communicate information to healthcare specialists, allowing them to act in the early stages of surgical problems like as infection, blood clots, and arrhythmias. Smart bandages, for example, have sensors built in that detect changes in wound temperature and moisture, warning of infections even in their early stages5. Tissue perfusion and real-time monitoring of wound healing via implanted devices give rapid input on a patient’s healing progress6.
The use of artificial intelligence in remote monitoring systems improves postoperative care by using machine learning algorithms to analyze patient data and identify potential problems from massive volumes of information7. Early intervention by healthcare personnel may avoid bad outcomes and lower the likelihood of readmission. Predictive analytics driven by AI may detect aberrant changes in vital signs that might otherwise go undetected on a traditional follow-up plan8.
The technologies mentioned above also help with postoperative healing through Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) procedures. ERAS protocols attempt to reduce surgical stress and promote speedier recovery by using a variety of measures, including appropriate pain management, nutrition, and movement9. Telemedicine and remote monitoring assist adherence to these procedures since patients are reminded of their adherence to these protocols regularly and their progress is tracked for beneficial changes10. Such platforms will be able to track whether patients are meeting critical recovery milestones, such as moving soon after surgery or following a specified physical therapy schedule. This time-bound feedback loop helps to achieve the aims of ERAS by keeping patients on pace for a smooth recovery, lowering durations of stay, and minimizing complications11. These technologies make it easier to educate patients and include them in treatment and care programs. Patients will be able to access specifically produced instructional materials, follow recovery measures, and communicate with healthcare staff via mobile apps and online portals. Patients may, therefore, be given a far larger degree of autonomy, which reduces anxiety owing to increasing involvement and responsibility in their treatment12.
Telemedicine and remote monitoring will become integral components of postoperative treatment, gaining traction in the future13. This may indicate that healing paths will become more personalized and precise. Telemedicine and remote monitoring are transforming people’s perspectives on postoperative treatment, mostly by improving safety, lowering healthcare costs, and increasing overall patient satisfaction.
Ethical approval
Not applicable.
Consent
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Source of funding
Not applicable.
Author contribution
J.P.: conceptualization and writing – original draft; G.G.: formal analysis and writing – original draft; V.K.V.: conceptualization and resources; H.C. and T.B.E.: supervision and writing – review and editing.
Conflicts of interest disclosure
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Research registration unique identifying number (UIN)
Not applicable.
Guarantor
Talha Bin Emran.
Data availability statement
Not applicable.
Provenance and peer review
Not commissioned, externally peer-reviewed.
Footnotes
Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article.
Published online 7 November 2024
Contributor Information
Jeyanthi P, Email: jeypalanivelu91@gmail.com.
Gulothungan G, Email: g.gulothungan@gmail.com.
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Hitesh Chopra, Email: chopraontheride@gmail.com.
Talha Bin Emran, Email: talhabmb@bgctub.ac.bd;talhabmb@gmail.com.
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Associated Data
This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.
Data Availability Statement
Not applicable.