Follow-up dental examination a day after apicoectomy using the store-and-forward method

Abstract

Introduction: Although apicoectomy is performed routinely and yields excellent results, a close patient observation during the postoperative course is desirable in order to avoid possible complications. This study aims to investigate the adequacy of postoperative control visits a day after surgery using the "store and forward" telemedicine method compared to clinical "in person" controls. Methods: There were 122 teeth with apicoectomy performed during 115 dental surgery interventions. Follow-up dental examination a day after apicoectomy consisted of the review of extraoral and intraoral photographs on the Internet and the review of responses to the questionnaire, and after that patients were examined in person. Cohen's kappa (κ) coefficient, diagnostic sensitivity (SE), sensitivity (SP) and efficiency were determined. Statistical significance and comparisons were performed using the Z-test, and non-parametric characteristics were tested using Mc Nemmar's χ 2-test at the statistical significance cutoff value of p=0.05. Results: The patients reported for control dental examination in 106 (92%) cases. The agreement between "in person" and "store and forward" telemedicine method was found in 104 cases (98%). The obtained agreement values indicated an almost complete diagnostic agreement. Conclusion: Based on the Internet transmission of digital photographs of the patients and accompanying patient medical history records, the study showed that control dental examinations "in person" can be successfully replaced with distance "store and forward" method of telemedicine.