Using Consumer Wearable Devices to Profile Postoperative Complications After Pediatric Appendectomy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Wearable Technology
• Postoperative Care

Background:

• Assessing pediatric recovery post-appendectomy is challenging for parents using subjective measures.
• Consumer wearables offer objective, real-time data for remote patient monitoring.
• Fitbit devices can potentially identify complications after hospital discharge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare postoperative recovery using Fitbit step counts in children with and without complications after appendectomy.
• To identify early signs of complications through objective step count data.

Main Methods:

• Children (3-17 years) undergoing appendectomy for complicated appendicitis wore a Fitbit for 21 days.
• Step count data were analyzed for patients meeting minimum wear-time criteria.
• Postoperative complications were identified via chart review; step count trajectories were compared.

Main Results:

• 14 of 86 patients developed complications (abscesses, surgical site infections, etc.).
• Deviation from normative recovery (decreased step count) was evident 4 days prior to complication presentation.
• Recovery trajectories varied by complication type; step counts improved post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• Fitbit step count variations can profile recovery trajectories in pediatric appendectomy patients.
• Distinct patterns emerge based on complication type, aiding early detection.
• Objective wearable data holds significant potential for outpatient pediatric postoperative monitoring.