Overview
This feasibility study will evaluate the accuracy of telementored eFAST (Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma) in detecting abdominal free fluid in patients who have recently undergone liver surgery. The primary goal is to determine how well the remote-guided ultrasound can identify fluid accumulation compared to conventional ultrasound performed by a radiologist. Participants in this study will be examined with ultrasound, supported in real-time by a remote expert, to assess its accuracy and other relevant performance metrics.
Description
The study is designed as a prospective diagnostic trial and involves 40 patients at Oslo University Hospital.
Participants will receive an ultrasound examination shortly after surgery, where a nurse is guided in real-time by a remote expert via teleultrasound. The primary objective is to assess the agreement between the telementored eFAST examination and a conventional ultrasound performed by an on-site radiologist. In addition to diagnostic accuracy, the study will evaluate various performance metrics, including the duration of the telementored versus conventional examinations, network reliability, and cognitive workload using the NASA Task Load Index.
The study will also explore the learning curve associated with telementored eFAST by monitoring the improvement in examination efficiency over time. These metrics will help determine the feasibility of using telementored ultrasound as a reliable diagnostic tool in postoperative care, potentially reducing the need for more resource-intensive imaging modalities and improving patient outcomes through timely decision-making.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients who have undergone laparoscopic liver surgery at the Oslo university hospital and are within 72 post-surgery
Exclusion Criteria:
Allergy to ultrasound gel. Patients colonized with ESBL, MRSA and VRE will be excluded due to infection control. Significant postoperative pain that can exacerbated by probe pressure.