Background Telemedicine remains an important tool of healthcare services delivery especially in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its advantages include saving the time and money of the patients and the prevention of infection among healthcare providers. Objectives In this study, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of telemedicine visits in providing postoperative care of neurosurgical patients. Materials and methods We conducted this prospective study on 30 neurosurgical patients who were evaluated after surgery via telemedicine visits for 30 days. During the virtual visits, we discussed the clinical progress of patients, wound status, treatment modification, the time of return to work, postoperative complications, and the radiological data of the patients. All the patients were given an emergency number to call in case of urgent issues. The satisfaction of patients and doctors was measured with the aid of two questionnaires. Results The patients’ age ranged from 18 to 65 years. Twenty patients were male and 10 patients were female. We performed 20 cranial operations and 10 spinal operations. Most patients needed more than 4 h to reach the hospital. The total number of telemedicine visits was 67 visits. We received about 62 emergency calls. Pain management, seizures control, wound infection, and hydrocephalus is among issues that were evaluated and managed via telemedicine visits. The overall satisfaction rate among patients and doctors was 90% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion Virtual outpatient clinics seem to be a safe and effective way of postoperative care especially in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

中文翻译：

---

医患距离：COVID-19 时期用于术后神经外科护理的远程医疗的早期体验

背景 远程医疗仍然是提供医疗保健服务的重要工具，尤其是在 COVID-19 大流行时代。其优点包括节省患者的时间和金钱以及预防医疗保健提供者之间的感染。目的 在本研究中，我们旨在评估远程医疗就诊在为神经外科患者提供术后护理方面的有效性和安全性。材料和方法 我们对 30 名神经外科患者进行了这项前瞻性研究，这些患者在手术后通过远程医疗就诊进行了 30 天的评估。在虚拟访问期间，我们讨论了患者的临床进展、伤口状态、治疗修改、恢复工作的时间、术后并发症以及患者的放射学数据。所有患者都获得了紧急电话号码，以便在有紧急问题时拨打。患者和医生的满意度通过两份问卷来衡量。结果患者年龄18～65岁。20名患者为男性，10名患者为女性。我们进行了 20 次颅脑手术和 10 次脊柱手术。大多数患者需要超过 4 小时才能到达医院。远程医疗就诊总数为 67 次。我们接到了大约 62 个紧急电话。疼痛管理、癫痫发作控制、伤口感染和脑积水是通过远程医疗访问评估和管理的问题之一。患者和医生的总体满意度分别为90%和95%。