A Systematic Review of Telehealth Utilization for Bowel Management Programs in Pediatric Colorectal Surgery

Abstract

Recent advancements in pediatric surgery have embraced telehealth (TH) modalities, transitioning from traditional in-person consultations to virtual care. This shift has broadened access to healthcare, potentially enhancing affordability, patient and caregiver satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. In pediatric colorectal surgery, telehealth has been effectively utilized to support Bowel Management Programs (BMPs) for children suffering from constipation and fecal incontinence. A systematic review was conducted to assess the effectiveness of virtual BMPs, analyzing studies from January 2010 to December 2023, sourced from MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, and the Cochrane Library, with five studies included. Remote BMPs, implemented through video or telephone consultations, reported satisfaction rates exceeding 75% among families, indicating a strong preference for virtual interactions over traditional visits. Significant findings from the studies include improvements in Vancouver and Baylor scores, reductions in the duration of multidisciplinary consultations, enhancements in pediatric quality of life and Cleveland scores, and decreased frequency of laxative treatments. The implementation of TH has facilitated patient-led care, enabling timely adjustments in treatment and efficient distribution of medical supplies. The findings suggest that virtual BMPs are a viable and effective alternative to conventional approaches, yielding high caregiver satisfaction and superior clinical outcomes while promoting patient independence.

Keywords

• telehealth
• telemedicine
• virtual
• bowel management
• Hirschsprung
• anorectal malformation