Convalescence after radical orchiectomy: Detailing surgical recovery with a novel electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) platform Journal Article


Authors: Gold, S. A.; Jayalath, V. H.; Yu, R.; Baky, F.; Liso, N.; Williams, B.; Tin, A. L.; Carlsson, S.; Cracchiolo, J.; Vickers, A. J.; Sheinfeld, J.; Matulewicz, R. S.
Article Title: Convalescence after radical orchiectomy: Detailing surgical recovery with a novel electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) platform
Abstract: Purpose: To assess implementation of an electronic patient reported outcomes platform, Recovery Tracker, which characterizes short term recovery following radical orchiectomy in patients with testicular cancer. Methods: Recovery Tracker was assigned based on procedure codes to patients undergoing radical orchiectomy at our institution. Patients were surveyed daily for the 10-day postoperative period in multiple symptom domains. To assess implementation outcomes, responders of at ≥1 survey were compared to nonresponders based on demographic and disease characteristics. Responses were described to ascertain recovery across domains. Clinically significant symptoms were identified based on reporting “moderate” or greater severity, or “occasional” or higher frequency answers. Results: From 06/2021 to 10/2023, 244 patients underwent orchiectomy. 236 (97%) were assigned a survey and 206 (87%) completed ≥1 survey. American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3-4 (a measure of health comorbidities for which higher scores indicate worse overall health) was associated with worse response rates (P = 0.014). There were no other differences in survey response rates among demographic or disease factors, including clinical stage. There were no Clavien-Dindo Grade ≥2 30-day postoperative complications and 2 (0.8%) Grade 1 complications. Regarding symptomatology, only “pain” and “limited activities due to pain” were reported to be moderate/severe among most patients early in the postoperative period. After postoperative day 5, very few patients reported moderate or severe symptoms. Conclusions: Recovery Tracker was successfully assigned to and completed by nearly all patients undergoing radical orchiectomy. Convalescence data establishes clear recovery benchmarks to provide preoperative guidance on expected symptoms and identify potential abnormal postoperative courses for rapid intervention. © 2025
Keywords: adult; cancer chemotherapy; aged; middle aged; patient satisfaction; major clinical study; constipation; fatigue; postoperative period; cancer staging; pain; nausea; vomiting; histology; risk; chill; dyspnea; fever; postoperative complication; symptom; comorbidity; testis tumor; testicular neoplasms; erythema; surgery; testicular cancer; orchiectomy; patient reported outcome measures; testis cancer; convalescence; seminoma; outpatient care; bilateral orchiectomy; adverse event; swelling; ambulatory surgery; patient-reported outcome; procedures; patient reported outcomes; contusion; humans; human; male; article; surgical site; electronic patient-reported outcome; radical orchiectomy; symptom tracker
Journal Title: Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations
Volume: 43
Issue: 6
ISSN: 1078-1439
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2025-06-01
Start Page: 399.e15
End Page: 399.e21
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2025.02.018
PUBMED: 40118679
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PDF. Corresponding MSK author is Samuel A. Gold -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Andrew J Vickers
    880 Vickers
  2. Joel Sheinfeld
    254 Sheinfeld
  3. Sigrid Viktoria Carlsson
    220 Carlsson
  4. Nicole E Benfante
    160 Benfante
  5. Amy Lam Ling Tin
    114 Tin
  6. Rebecca Yu
    7 Yu
  7. Fady Baky
    12 Baky
  8. Samuel Gold
    2 Gold