Incomplete reporting of enhanced recovery elements and its impact on achieving quality improvement

Perioperative medicine: challenges and solutions for global health

The emerging field of perioperative medicine has the potential to make significant contributions to global health. Perioperative medicine aims to help reduce unmet surgical need, decrease variation in quality and systematically improve patient outcomes. These aims are also applicable to key challenges in global health, such as limited access to surgical care, variable quality and workforce shortages. This article describes the areas in which perioperative medicine can contribute to global health using case studies of successful care pathways, risk prediction tools, strategies for effective grassroots research and novel workforce approaches aimed at effectively using limited resources.

ERAS programme in a Portuguese tertiary hospital: An audit of the first six months of implementation in elective colorectal surgery

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal strategy designed to optimize postoperative recovery and reduce morbidity, length of hospital stay, and care costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate compliance and clinical outcomes 6 months of implementation of the program in scheduled colorectal surgery in a tertiary hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from 209 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery were analysed. The first 102 patients (pre-ERAS group) who underwent surgery between January and May 2018, before the implementation of the program, were compared with the 107 patients treated between May and October 2019, after ERAS implementation. The main outcomes were patient education and counselling, use of intravenous fluids, early mobilization, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, return of bowel function, length of stay, complications, mortality, and overall compliance.

RESULTS

The ERAS program was associated with a significant increase in patient education and counselling (p<0.001) and with a significant reduction in intra- and postoperative IV fluid administration (p=0.007 and p<0.001, respectively) and postoperative nausea or vomiting (17.6% vs 5.0%, p=0.007). Time to recovery of activities of daily living (5.29 vs 2.85 days; p<0.001), time to solid oral intake (6.21 vs 4.35 days; p<0.001), time to first flatus (2.41 vs 1.51 days; p<0.001) and defecation (3.35 vs 1.66 days; p<0.001) decreased with ERAS. There were no statistically significant differences in length of stay, complications, and mortality.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the ERAS program improved perioperative outcomes and postoperative recovery in patients undergoing colorectal surgery in our hospital.

Clinical practice guidelines for enhanced recovery after colon and rectal surgery from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) are dedicated to ensuring high-quality innovative patient care for surgical patients by advancing the science, prevention, and management of disorders and diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus as well as minimally invasive surgery. The ASCRS and SAGES society members involved in the creation of these guidelines were chosen because they have demonstrated expertise in the specialty of colon and rectal surgery and enhanced recovery. This consensus document was created to lead international efforts in defining quality care for conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus and develop clinical practice guidelines based on the best available evidence. While not proscriptive, these guidelines provide information on which decisions can be made and do not dictate a specific form of treatment. These guidelines are intended for the use of all practitioners, healthcare workers, and patients who desire information about the management of the conditions addressed by the topics covered in these guidelines. These guidelines should not be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of methods of care reasonably directed toward obtaining the same results. The ultimate judgment regarding the propriety of any specific procedure must be made by the physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. This clinical practice guideline represents a collaborative effort between the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and was approved by both societies.

Same-Day Home Recovery for Benign Foregut Surgery

Importance

Same-day home recovery (SHR) is now the standard of care for many major surgical procedures and has the potential to become standard practice for benign foregut procedures (eg, hiatal hernia repair, fundoplication, and Heller myotomy).

Objective

To determine whether SHR for patients undergoing benign foregut surgery is feasible, safe, and effective.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective cohort study took place across 19 medical centers within an integrated health care system in northern California from January 2019 through September 2021. Participants included consecutive patients undergoing elective benign foregut surgery.

Exposures

Standardized SHR program.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was the rate of SHR. The secondary end points were 7-day and 30-day rates of postoperative emergency department visits, hospital readmissions, and reoperations.

Results

Of 1248 patients who underwent benign foregut surgery from January 2017 through September 2021, 558 were patients before implementation of the SHR program and 690 were patients postimplementation. The mean age of patients was 60 years, and 759 (59%) were female. The preimplementation SHR rate was 64 of 558 patients (11.5%) in 2018 and increased to 82 of 113 patients (72.6%) by 2021 (94/350 [26.9%] in 2019 and 112/227 [49.3%] in 2020; P < .001). There were no statistical differences in the 7-day and 30-day rates of postoperative emergency visits, hospital readmissions, and reoperations or 30-day mortality in the SHR vs non-SHR groups in the postimplementation era.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, implementation of a regional SHR program among patients undergoing elective benign foregut surgery was feasible, safe, and effective. The changes in perioperative care require comprehensive patient education and full multidisciplinary support. An SHR program for benign foregut procedures has the potential to improve patient care and cost-effectiveness in care delivery.

Perioperative Care Pathways in Low- and Lower-Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

BACKGROUND

Safe and effective care for surgical patients requires high-quality perioperative care. In high-income countries (HICs), care pathways have been shown to be effective in standardizing clinical practice to optimize patient outcomes. Little is known about their use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where perioperative mortality is substantially higher.

METHODS

Systematic review and narrative synthesis to identify and describe studies in peer-reviewed journals on the implementation or evaluation of perioperative care pathways in LMICs. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, WHO Global Index, Web of Science, Scopus, Global Health and SciELO alongside citation searching. Descriptive statistics, taxonomy classifications and framework analyses were used to summarize the setting, outcome measures, implementation strategies, and facilitators and barriers to implementation.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies were included. The majority of pathways were set in tertiary hospitals in lower-middle-income countries and were focused on elective surgery. Only six studies were assessed as high quality. Most pathways were adapted from international guidance and had been implemented in a single hospital. The most commonly reported barriers to implementation were cost of interventions and lack of available resources.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies from a geographically diverse set of low and lower-middle-income countries demonstrate increasing use of perioperative pathways adapted to resource-poor settings, though there is sparsity of literature from low-income countries, first-level hospitals and emergency surgery. As in HICs, addressing patient and clinician beliefs is a major challenge in improving care. Context-relevant and patient-centered research, including qualitative and implementation studies, would make a valuable contribution to existing knowledge.

Limited impact of a top-down approach to improve enhanced recovery programme in French university hospitals: a before-after retrospective survey

Background

Enhanced recovery programme (ERP) after surgery needs development in Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP).

Methods

A retrospective before-and-after study was performed in 2015 and 2017 on three surgical models (total knee arthroplasty (TKA), colectomy and hysterectomy) in 17 hospitals including 29 surgical departments. Data were collected in one control intervention (total hip arthroplasty (THA), gastrectomy and ovariectomy). In 2016, Massive Open Online Course on ERP and a day meeting information were developed by APHP. A national update on ERP was also organized by HAS and a regional professional partnership programme was started. Primary outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and complications after surgery. Data on ERP items were collected in the patients’ chart and in anaesthetist and surgeon interview. Seventy percent application rate reflects application of ERP procedure.

Results

1321 patient’s files were analysed (812 in 2015 and 509 in 2017). The LOS (mean (SD)) is reduced by 1.6 day for TKA (2015, 8.7 (6.7) versus 7.1 (3.4) in 2017; p<0.001) but stable for colectomy and hysterectomy. Incidence of severe complications after surgery is unchanged in all types of surgical models. For TKA and hysterectomy respectively applied items of ERP (i.e. >70% application) increased respectively from 5 to 7 out of 17 and 16 in 2015 and 2017. For colectomy, they were stable at 6 out of 21 in 2015 and 2017. The mean application rates of ERP items stayed below 50% in all cases in 2017. The LOS was negatively correlated with ERP items’ application when data collected in 2015 and 2017 were analysed together.

Conclusion

ERP application did not significantly improved between 2015 and 2017 for three surgical models after an institutional information and diffusion of recommendations in 29 surgical departments of seventeen French University hospitals underlining the limit of a top-down approach.

Comparison of treatment to improve gastrointestinal functions after colorectal surgery within enhanced recovery programmes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Despite a significant improvement with enhanced recovery programmes (ERP), gastro-intestinal (GI) functions that are impaired after colorectal resection and postoperative ileus (POI) remain a significant issue. In the literature, there is little evidence of the distinction between the treatment assessed within or outside ERP. The purpose was to evaluate the efficiency of treatments to reduce POI and improve GI function recovery within ERP. A search was performed in PubMed and Scopus on 20 September 2019. The studies were included if they compared the effect of the administration of a treatment aiming to treat or prevent POI or improve the early functional outcomes of colorectal surgery within an ERP. The main outcome measures were the occurrence of postoperative ileus, time to first flatus and time to first bowel movement. Treatments that were assessed at least three times were included in a meta-analysis. Among the analysed studies, 28 met the eligibility criteria. Six of them focused on chewing-gum and were only randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 8 of them focused on Alvimopan but none of them were RCT. The other measures were assessed in less than 3 studies over RCTs (n = 11) or retrospective studies (n = 2). In the meta-analysis, chewing gum had no significant effect on the endpoints and Alvimopan allowed a significant reduction of the occurrence of POI. Chewing-gum was not effective on GI function recovery in ERP but Alvimopan and the other measures were not sufficiently studies to draw conclusion. Randomised controlled trials are needed.Systematic review registration number CRD42020167339.

Enhanced recovery after surgery in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: Protocol for a prospective single-arm clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme is feasible and effective in reducing the length of hospital stay, overall complication rates and medical costs when applied to cases involving colonic and rectal resections. However, a recent prospective, randomised, open, parallel-controlled trial (Chinese Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study-01 trial), initiated by our team, indicated that under conventional peri-operative management, the reduction of the post-operative hospital stay of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) is quite limited compared with open gastrectomy. Thus, if we could provide valuable clinical evidence for demonstrating the efficacy of the ERAS programme for gastric cancer patients undergoing LDG, it would significantly enhance the peri-operative management of gastrectomy and benefit the patients.

METHODS

In this prospective single-arm trial, patients who are 18-75 years of age with gastric adenocarcinoma diagnosed with cT1-4aN0-3M0 and expected to undergo curative resection through LDG, are considered eligible for this study. All participants underwent LDG with peri-operative management under the ERAS programme. The primary outcome measures included the post-operative hospital stays and rehabilitative rate of the post-operative day 4. The secondary outcome measures are morbidity and mortality (time frame: 30 days), post-operative recovery index (time frame: 30 days), post-operative pain intensity (time frame: 3 days) and the medical costs from surgery to discharge.

CONCLUSION

With reasonable and scientific designing, the trial may be a great help to further discuss the benefit of ERAS programme and thus improving the peri-operative management of patients with gastrectomy.

Early postoperative mobilization in patients undergoing abdominal surgery: a best practice implementation project

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this project was to improve early postoperative mobilization in patients undergoing abdominal surgery according to best practice.

INTRODUCTION

Early mobilization is a crucial element of postoperative care; however, there are challenges implementing early mobilization protocols in daily practice. This project used the evidence to improve awareness and practice of early mobilization in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

METHODS

This study utilized clinical audit strategies under the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (JBI PACES) module. An audit-feedback cycle was used from April 2018 to August 2018. The baseline audit was conducted using 18 nurses and 30 patients in a general surgery ward. The Getting Research into Practice audit and feedback tool was used to identify barriers, strategies, resources and outcomes. After implementing evidence-based strategies, a follow-up was conducted using the same number of samples and audit criteria. We analyzed the compliance with best practice and its impact on length of hospitalization, postoperative physical activities, gastrointestinal function and complications.

RESULTS

After implementing best-practice strategies, the compliance rate of the six criteria improved as follows: criterion 1 from 0% to 100% (P = 0.000), criterion 2 from 87% to 100% (χ = 4.29, P = 0.038), criterion 3 from 60% to 70% (χ = 6.67, P = 0.010), criterion 4 from 7% to 79% (χ = 52.55, P = 0.000), criterion 5 from 40% to 70% (χ = 35.00, P = 0.000), and criterion 6 from 0% to 100% (P = 0.000). The differences in the length of hospitalization and physical activities between the pre-implementation and post-implementation were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The rate of postoperative complications did not show a significant difference because of low occurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that evidence-based practice is an effective method for enhancing early recovery in patients undergoing abdominal surgery through promoting early mobilization. Sustaining best practice should continue through further follow-up audits.

Early Outcome of Enhanced Recovery Programs Versus Conventional Perioperative Care in Elective Open Left Side Colonic Carcinoma Surgery: Analysis of 80 Cases

According to recent clinical practice guidelines, enhanced recovery programs (ERP) have been practiced to improve surgical outcomes and decrease cost. However, these are still opposed by the traditional measures in the treatment of colorectal carcinoma that is still practiced with the concept of protection of anastomosis and decrease postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to report our experience in ERP in elective open left side colonic carcinoma surgery in comparison with the conventional perioperative care. The current prospective multicenter randomized controlled study included a total of 80 adult patients with left side colonic cancer who were eligible for elective colonic resection. Included patients were randomly divided into two equal groups: group (A) where conventional perioperative care was performed and group (B) where ERP were applied. Follow-up was designed for at least 1 month to evaluate and compare hospital stay and postoperative complications. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards demographic data and preoperative comorbidities. There were statistically significant less pain (P = 0.24), less postoperative nausea and vomiting (P = 0.045), and less hospital stay (P < 0.001) in group B than group A. Otherwise, there was no statistically significant difference in comparing the rest of postoperative surgical or non-surgical complications or rates of readmissions between the two groups. ERP are safe, reliable, simple, and applicable in open left side cancer colon surgery with no negative impact over the postoperative complications in comparison with the conventional care.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS): a Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) in Bariatric Surgery

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to conduct an up-to-date systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the benefits and harms of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme in bariatric surgery.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library were searched for RCTs on ERAS versus standard care (SC) until April 2020. The primary endpoint was the length of hospital stay (LOS).

RESULTS

Five RCTs included a total of 610 procedures. ERAS adoption is capable of significantly reducing LOS (MD of - 0.51; 95% CI - 0.92 to - 0.10; P = 0.01) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.19 to 0.95; P = 0.04). No significant differences in terms of adverse events and readmissions.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of ERAS in bariatric surgery produces a significant reduction in LOS and PONV.

ERAS in minimally invasive hepatectomy

Open hepatectomy is associated with significant post-operative morbidity and mortality profile. The use of minimally invasive approach for hepatectomy can reduce the post-operative complication profile and total length of hospital stay. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs involve evidence-based multimodal care pathways designed to achieve early recovery for patients undergoing major surgery. This review will discuss the published evidence, challenges and future directions for ERAS in minimally invasive hepatectomy.

A systematic review of the intervention components, adherence and outcomes of enhanced recovery programmes in older patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery

Background

Enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) aim to attenuate the surgical stress response and accelerate recovery after surgery, but are not specifically designed for older patients. The objective of this study was to review the components, adherence and outcomes of ERPs in older patients (≥65 years) undergoing elective colorectal surgery.

Methods

Pubmed, Embase and Cinahl were searched between 2000 and 2017 for randomised and non-randomised controlled trials, before-after studies, and observational studies. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the MINORS quality assessment. The review was performed and reported according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Twenty-one studies, including 3495 ERP patients aged ≥65 years, were identified. The ERPs consisted of a median of 13 intervention components. Adherence rates were reported in 9 studies and were the highest (≥80%) for pre-admission counselling, no bowel preparation, limited pre-operative fasting, antithrombotic and antimicrobial prophylaxis, no nasogastric tube, active warming, and limited intra-operative fluids. The median post-operative length of stay was 6 days. The median post-operative morbidity rate (Clavien-Dindo I-IV) was 23.5% in-hospital and 29.8% at 30 days. The in-hospital post-operative mortality rate was 0% in most studies and amounted to a median of 1.4% at 30 days. The median 30-day readmission rate was 4.9% and the median reoperation rate was 5.0%.

Conclusions

ERPs in older patients were in accordance with the ERP consensus guidelines. Although the number of intervention components applied increased over time, outcomes in earlier and later studies remained comparable. Adherence rates were under-reported. Future studies should explore adherence and age-related factors, such as frailty profile, that could influence adherence.

Trial registration

PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018084756.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12877-019-1158-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Enhanced recovery in liver surgery

Enhanced recovery in liver surgery has been shown to improve outcomes including patient-reported outcomes, length of stay, return to intended oncology therapy, and cost. The goal of this chapter will be to review the elements of a modern enhanced recovery pathway that is utilized across the entire episode of care in liver surgery.

The Reporting on ERAS Compliance, Outcomes, and Elements Research (RECOvER) Checklist: A Joint Statement by the ERAS® and ERAS® USA Societies

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs are multimodal care pathways designed to minimize the physiological and psychological impact of surgery for patients. Increased compliance with ERAS guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes across surgical types. As ERAS programs have proliferated, an unintentional effect has been significant variation in how ERAS-related studies are reported in the literature.

METHODS

To improve the quality of ERAS reporting, ERAS® USA and the ERAS® Society launched an effort to create an instrument to assist authors in manuscript preparation. Criteria to include were selected by a combination of literature review and expert opinion. The final checklist was refined by group consensus.

RESULTS

The Societies present the Reporting on ERAS Compliance, Outcomes, and Elements Research (RECOvER) Checklist. The tool contains 20 items including best practices for reporting clinical pathways, compliance auditing, and formatting guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

The RECOvER Checklist is intended to provide a standardized framework for the reporting of ERAS-related studies. The checklist can also assist reviewers in evaluating the quality of ERAS-related manuscripts. Authors are encouraged to include the RECOvER Checklist when submitting ERAS-related studies to peer-reviewed journals.

Enhanced recovery after surgery in colorectal surgery: Impact of protocol adherence on patient outcomes

STUDY OBJECTIVES

There is growing evidence internationally to support Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways. The impact of pathway compliance and the relative importance of individual components, however, remains less clear. Our institution implemented a multimodal ERAS protocol for elective colorectal surgery in November 2013. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of the introduction of the pathway, the relationship between pathway adherence and patient outcomes, and the relative importance of individual components.

DESIGN

This was a single-center, observational cohort study of elective colorectal surgical patients.

SETTING

A tertiary care and academic teaching hospital in Canada.

PATIENTS

Prospective data was collected from 495 consecutive major colorectal surgical patients following the ERAS launch. Retrospective data was also collected from a pre-ERAS cohort of 99.

MEASUREMENTS

Adherence to 12 ERAS components were measured, along with American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP®) defined patient complications and hospital length of stay (LOS). Post-ERAS patients were divided in to two groups: high compliance (≥75% process adherence) and low compliance (<75% adherence). Outcomes were compared between groups.

MAIN RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in both complication rate (31.5% vs 14.6%; p ≤0.05) and hospital mean LOS (10.1 vs 6.9 days; p ≤0.05) following introduction of the ERAS pathway. The high adherence group had a shorter mean LOS (5.7 vs 8.6 days; p ≤0.01) and lower rate of complications (11.2% vs 19.6%; p = 0.02) compared with the low compliance group.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher adherence to the standardized ERAS protocol was associated with improved patient outcomes, including reduced pulmonary complications. The cause-effect relationship is complex and likely influenced by confounding factors. Our data provides feedback to aid ongoing innovation of our pathway locally and adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the value of ERAS in general.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: Hepatobiliary

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways target specific areas within perioperative patient care in a multidisciplinary and evidence-based manner. Because of the subsequent positive outcomes associated with its use, ERAS has expanded to most surgical subspecialties, including hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. Although certain concepts are universal to all ERAS protocols, there are unique areas of emphasis pertaining to the hepatopancreatobiliary specialties, which will be highlighted throughout this article. In addition, some of the less frequently discussed aspects of enhanced recovery, including patient-reported outcomes, recovery assessment, cost, and auditing, will be addressed.

Enhanced recovery protocols after oesophagectomy

The feasibility and safety of enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) have been demonstrated in a large number of surgical specialties. Several studies have shown improved post-operative outcomes and economic benefit from the use of ERPs in oesophageal cancer surgery. However, these improvements are not always translated more widely into clinical practice due to variation in protocols, poor compliance and failure to implement a robust implementation strategy. ERP implementation strategies should reflect the fact that these are complex interventions that are influenced by a wide range of social, organizational and cultural factors.

Differences in the survival rates of older patients with colorectal cancers in 2003 and 2009

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate survival in patients aged ≥70 years who underwent colorectal cancer surgery in 2003 and 2009. In addition, we aimed to identify the factors that could affect survival in these patients.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, a retrospective review of the data for 878 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery with curative intent in the years 2003 and 2009 was performed. The primary outcome was the 5-year overall survival rate (5-OSR), and the clinicopathologic factors that could affect overall survival were analyzed.

Results

The 5-OSR was 77.8% and 84.9% in 2003 and 2009, respectively (P = 0.013). Age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, stage, type of surgery, and length of hospital stay possibly affected survival per the univariate and multivariate analyses. In patients aged ≥70 years, the 5-OSR in 2009 was 75.9%, which showed improvement compared to 53.7% in 2003 (P = 0.027). The stage, type of surgery, and hospital stay were the variables that possibly affected survival in patients aged ≥70 years per the univariate analysis, whereas the stage (III; hazard ratio [HR], 2.188; P = 0.005) and length of hospital stay (>12 days; HR, 2.307; P = 0.004), were the variables that showed statistical significance on the multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

We found that early stage and shortening the length of hospital stay could affect survival in older patients with colorectal cancers. Because of limited evidence on the influence of shortening the length of hospital stay on survival in older patients, further investigations are warranted.

American Society for Enhanced Recovery (ASER) and Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI) joint consensus statement on measurement to maintain and improve quality of enhanced recovery pathways for elective colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

This article sets out a framework for measurement of quality of care relevant to enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) in elective colorectal surgery. The proposed framework is based on established measurement systems and/or theories, and provides an overview of the different approaches for improving clinical monitoring, and enhancing quality improvement or research in varied settings with different levels of available resources.

METHODS

Using a structure-process-outcome framework, we make recommendations for three hierarchical tiers of data collection.

DISCUSSION

Core, Quality Improvement, and Best Practice datasets are proposed. The suggested datasets incorporate patient data to describe case-mix, process measures to describe delivery of enhanced recovery and clinical outcomes. The fundamental importance of routine collection of data for the initiation, maintenance, and enhancement of enhanced recovery pathways is emphasized.

Enhanced recovery pathway in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy: a case-matched study

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery (ER) pathways have improved outcomes across multiple surgical specialties, but reports concerning their application in distal pancreatectomy (DP) are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess compliance with an ER protocol and its impact on short-term outcomes in patients undergoing DP.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data were reviewed. One hundred consecutive patients undergoing DP were treated within an ER pathway comprising 18 care elements. Each patient was matched 1:1 with a patient treated with usual perioperative care. Match criteria were age, BMI, ASA score, lesion site, and type of disease.

RESULTS

Adherence to ER items ranged from 15% for intraoperative restrictive fluids to 100% for intraoperative warming, antibiotic and anti-thrombotic prophylaxis. Patients in ER group experienced earlier recovery of gastrointestinal function (2 vs. 3 days, p < 0.001), oral intake (2 vs. 4 days, p < 0.001), and suspension of intravenous infusions (3 vs. 5 days, p < 0.001). Overall morbidity was similar in the two groups (72% vs. 78%). Length of hospital stay (LOS) was reduced in ER patients without postoperative complications (6.7 ± 1.2 vs. 7.6 ± 1.6 days, p = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

An ER pathway for DP yielded an earlier postoperative recovery and shortened LOS in uneventful patients. Postoperative morbidity and readmissions were similar in both groups.

The Development, Application and Analysis of an Enhanced Recovery Programme for Major Oesophagogastric Resection

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery programmes improve outcomes in surgery, but their implementation after upper gastrointestinal resection has been limited. The aim of this study was to compare short-term outcomes for patients undergoing oesophagogastric surgery in an enhanced recovery programme (EROS).

METHODS

EROS was developed after a multidisciplinary meeting by multiple rounds of revision. EROS was applied to all patients undergoing major upper GI resection at a university teaching hospital in the UK from 20/9/13, with data reviewed at 18/09/15. EROS was assessed to identify predictors for compliance.

RESULTS

One hundred six patients underwent major upper GI resection including 81 oesophagectomies, 24 gastrectomies and 1 colonic interposition graft. Major complications (Clavien Dindo ≥3) occurred in 12 patients with 1 in-hospital death. Thirty-five patients (44%) were discharged on target day 8 of the EROS programme. Age and complications were independently associated with missing this discharge target.

CONCLUSION

Enhanced recovery is feasible and safe after major upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Impact of adherence to care pathway interventions on recovery following bowel resection within an established enhanced recovery program

INTRODUCTION

Guidelines recommend incorporation of more than 20 perioperative interventions within an enhanced recovery program (ERP). However, the impact of overall adherence to the pathway and the relative contribution of each intervention are unclear. The aim of this study was to estimate the extent to which adherence to ERP elements is associated with outcomes and identify key ERP elements predicting successful recovery following bowel resection.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data entered in a registry specifically designed for ERPs were reviewed. Patients undergoing elective bowel resection between 2012 and 2014 were treated within an ERP comprising 23 care elements. Primary outcome was successful recovery defined as the absence of complications, discharge by postoperative day 4 and no readmission. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay (LOS), 30-day morbidity, and severity (Comprehensive complication index, CCI, 0-100). Regression analyses were adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 347 patients were included in the study. Median primary LOS was 4 days (IQR 3-7). Patients were adherent to median 18 (IQR 16-20) elements. A total of 156 (45 %) patients had successful recovery. Morbidity occurred in 175 (50 %) patients with median CCI 8.6 (IQR 0-22.6). There was a positive association between adherence and successful recovery (OR 1.39 for every additional element, p < 0.001), LOS (11 % reduction for every additional element, p < 0.001), 30-day postoperative morbidity (OR 0.78, p < 0.001), and the CCI (17 % reduction, p < 0.001). Laparoscopy (OR 4.32, p < 0.001), early mobilization out of bed (OR 2.25, p = 0.021), and early termination of IV fluid infusion (OR 2.00, p = 0.013) significantly predicted successful recovery. These factors were also associated with reduced morbidity and complication severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased adherence to ERP interventions was associated with successful early recovery and a reduction in postoperative morbidity and complication severity. In an established ERP where overall adherence was high, laparoscopic approach, perioperative fluid management, and patient mobilization remain key elements associated with improved outcomes.

Enhanced recovery pathways in pancreatic surgery: State of the art

Pancreatic surgery is being offered to an increasing number of patients every year. Although postoperative outcomes have significantly improved in the last decades, even in high-volume centers patients still experience significant postoperative morbidity and full recovery after surgery takes longer than we think. In recent years, enhanced recovery pathways incorporating a large number of evidence-based perioperative interventions have proved to be beneficial in terms of improved postoperative outcomes, and accelerated patient recovery in the context of gastrointestinal, genitourinary and orthopedic surgery. The role of these pathways for pancreatic surgery is still unclear as high-quality randomized controlled trials are lacking. To date, non-randomized studies have shown that care pathways for pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy are safe with no difference in postoperative morbidity, leading to early discharge and no increase in hospital readmissions. Hospital costs are reduced due to better organization of care and resource utilization. However, further research is needed to clarify the effect of enhanced recovery pathways on patient recovery and post-discharge outcomes following pancreatic resection. Future studies should be prospective and follow recent recommendations for the design and reporting of enhanced recovery pathways.

Enhanced Recovery After Robot-assisted Radical Cystectomy: EAU Robotic Urology Section Scientific Working Group Consensus View

CONTEXT

Radical cystectomy (RC) is associated with frequent morbidity and prolonged length of stay (LOS) irrespective of surgical approach. Increasing evidence from colorectal surgery indicates that minimally invasive surgery and enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) can reduce surgical morbidity and LOS. ERPs are now recognised as an important component of surgical management for RC. However, there is comparatively little evidence for ERPs after robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). Due to the multimodal nature of ERPs, they are not easily validated through randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a European Association of Urology (EAU) Robotic Urology Section (ERUS) policy on ERPs to guide standardised perioperative management of RARC patients.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The guidance was formulated in four phases: (1) systematic literature review of evidence for ERPs in robotic, laparoscopic, and open RC; (2) an online questionnaire survey formulated and sent to ERUS Scientific Working Group members; (3) achievement of consensus from an expert panel using the Delphi process; and (4) a standardised reporting template to audit compliance and outcome designed and approved by the committee.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Consensus was reached in multiple areas of an ERP for RARC. The key principles include patient education, optimisation of nutrition, RARC approach, standardised anaesthetic, analgesic, and antiemetic regimens, and early mobilisation.

CONCLUSIONS

This consensus represents the views of an expert panel established to advise ERUS on ERPs for RARC. The ERUS Scientific Working Group recognises the role of ERPs and endorses them as standardised perioperative care for patients undergoing RARC. ERPs in robotic surgery will continue to evolve with technological and pharmaceutical advances and increasing understanding of the role of surgery-specific ERPs.

PATIENT SUMMARY

There is currently a lack of high-level evidence exploring the benefits of enhanced recovery programmes (ERPs) in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC). We reported a consensus view on a standardised ERP specific to patients undergoing RARC. It was formulated by experts from high-volume RARC hospitals in Europe, combining current evidence for ERPs with experts' knowledge of perioperative care for robotic surgery.