Nanotechnology and Artificial Intelligence: An Emerging Paradigm for Postoperative Patient Care.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of aesthetic surgery procedures are being performed in the office-based setting in an ambulatory fashion. Postoperative monitoring for these patients has historically been comprised of paid private-duty nurses measuring vital signs, encouraging ambulation, and monitoring overall comfort level. Recently, advancements in nanotechnology have permitted high-acuity data acquisition of multiple clinical parameters that can be transmitted to the surgeon's mobile device in a continuous fashion.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the authors early experience with this emerging artificial intelligence technology in the postoperative setting.

METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients underwent radiofrequency-assisted liposuction and Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery and placed in a monitoring garment postoperatively. The primary outcome was device usability, reflected by compliance with device and completeness of data collection.

RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of patients wore the device for greater than 12 hours a day in the first 48 hours. Only 39% were compliant with postoperative positioning. No postoperative events were detected.

CONCLUSIONS: The quality of data collected allow for detection of clinical derangements and can alert the surgeon in real time, prompting intervention such as medicine administration, position changes or presentation to the emergency room.