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Minor surgery procedures: A retrospective review and prospective survey in a pediatric population
Emily Chan1, Marija Bucevska1, Cynthia Verchere1
1Division of Plastic Surgery, BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia.
Insights
Pediatric minor surgery in plastic surgery clinics is safe and effective, with a low complication rate and high patient and surgeon satisfaction. These procedures are practical for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Plastic Surgery
- Surgical Outcomes
- Patient Satisfaction
Background:
- Minor surgical procedures are frequently performed in pediatric plastic surgery settings.
- Assessing patient and physician satisfaction, parent impressions, psychological concerns, and complications is crucial for evaluating these procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient and physician satisfaction, parent impressions, psychological concerns, and complications associated with minor surgery procedures.
- To determine the practicality and safety of minor surgeries in a pediatric plastic surgery clinic.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 219 pediatric patients undergoing minor surgery (May 2011-April 2013).
- Prospective patient and parent survey for consecutive patients undergoing minor surgery (June-August 2013).
- Data collected on demographics, procedure specifics, complications, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- No major complications were reported; 45 minor complications occurred in 36 patients (e.g., crusting, delayed healing, hypersensitivity, scar hypertrophy, infection).
- High satisfaction rates were observed: 89.9% were both satisfied, and 83% of prospective respondents felt their goals were met and would undergo surgery again.
- Patient dissatisfaction was low (3.1% patient unsatisfied/physician satisfied, 6.2% both unsatisfied).
Conclusions:
- Minor surgery is a feasible and practical option within pediatric plastic surgery clinics.
- These procedures are associated with a low incidence of complications.
- High levels of patient and surgeon satisfaction indicate successful outcomes.
Objective:
The present study evaluated minor surgery procedures undertaken by a single plastic surgeon at BC Children's Hospital (Vancouver, British Columbia) for patient and physician satisfaction, parent impressions, psychological concerns and complications.
Methods:
Data were collected from a retrospective chart review and a prospective patient survey. Eligible subjects for the retrospective study included all pediatric patients undergoing minor surgery between May 2011 and April 2013. Parameters of interest included patient demographics, minor surgery specifics, complications and outcomes. Eligible subjects for the prospective patient survey included consecutive patients undergoing minor surgery between June 2013 and August 2013, as well as their parents.
Results:
A total of 219 procedures were included in the retrospective review. The mean age of subjects was 13.1 years (range two weeks to 18 years). The median length of follow-up was 46 days (range four to 606 days). There were no major complications; however, 45 minor complications in 36 patients were found. Complications included crusting (4.6%), delayed wound healing (3.2%), hypersensitivity (2.3%), scar hypertrophy (1.8%), infection (0.9%) and other (7.8%). Outcomes were categorized as one of four outcomes: both satisfied (89.9%); patient satisfied but physician unsatisfied (0.8%); patient unsatisfied and physician satisfied (3.1%); and both unsatisfied (6.2%). In the prospective study, 32 subjects consented to participate in the survey. Of these subjects, 10 children and 12 parents responded to the questionnaires. Eighty-three percent of respondents indicated that their goals were accomplished by their procedure and that they would be willing to undergo minor surgery again.
Conclusion:
Minor surgery is possible and practical in pediatric plastic surgery clinics, with few complications and high patient and surgeon satisfaction.
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