Abstract

PURPOSE: Brachytherapy requires multiple different steps and plays a critical role in treatment for gynecological cancer. In an effort to improve gynecologic patient experience, we investigated how different aspects of the procedure influence how long the patient has the brachytherapy applicator in place.METHODS AND MATERIALS: We prospectively recorded 145 consecutive tandem and ovoid treatments for 33 patients and determined how anesthesia vs. conscious sedation, MRI or not, and the number of procedures in the day impact applicator in time. The data were analyzed in a mixed effects linear regression model to account for the within-patient correlation.RESULTS: We found average applicator in place time was 179minutes (range: 87-311minutes). Patients who received anesthesia had a significant increase in length of applicator in patient time by an average of 42minutes compared with those who received conscious sedation. Undergoing an MRI increased length of applicator in time by an average of 66minutes, although the actual MRI performed generally took less than 30minutes. Having three or more procedures scheduled for 1day increased the length of time the tandem and ovoid was inserted by an average of 35minutes.CONCLUSION: The use of anesthesia vs. conscious sedation, MRI scans for treatment planning, and number of procedures scheduled per day have significant influence on the duration of brachytherapy treatments. This information can help us work to optimize scheduling and thereby improve patient brachytherapy experience.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.brachy.2019.11.011

View details for PubMedID 31980387