["Fast-track" rehabilitation in thoracic surgery. First experiences with a multimodal, interdisciplinary, and proven perioperative treatment course]

[Application of the standardized protocol for fast track recovery after lung cancer surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To assess standardized protocol for fast track recovery after lung cancer surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There were 201 patients. Patients underwent VATS lung resection, VATS lobectomy and various open resections of lungs. Patients had either primary lung cancer or metastatic lung lesion with indications for surgical treatment. Management of patients was divided into 3 periods: preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative. The protocol of fast track recovery was developed considering literature data and own experience. Requirements of this protocol were applied in perioperative management.

RESULTS

Application of the protocol was successful in all patients. Minimum number of complications (6%) and length of postoperative hospital-stay of 4 days were observed after VATS resection of lung. VATS lobectomy was followed by complication rate 25% and postoperative hospital-stay of 6 days. In the group of open resections these values were 29% and 7 days.

Enhanced recovery after elective surgery for lung cancer patients: analysis of current pathways and perspectives

The concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), initially introduced in the field of colorectal surgery, has been developed in order to optimize the postoperative course. In recent years the number of authors analyzing the role of ERAS in lung cancer surgery is increasing, highlighting several interventions with positive effects on the postoperative course. Yet it is still difficult to draw definite conclusions and specific guidelines, as most of these studies largely differ for their methodological aspects and study populations. Herein we focus on the key elements of each single intervention, trying to identify what we can apply in a common pathway, and which aspects are still to be evaluated for the validation of an ERAS program.

A comprehensive protocol for physiokinesis therapy and enhanced recovery after surgery in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy

Background

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy has recently been adopted as the gold standard surgical option for the treatment of early stage non-small cell lung cancer. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is being progressively adopted in thoracic surgery to improve the postoperative outcomes. Even if the benefits of ERAS are universally accepted, to date a standardized and uniform approach has not been described in the medical literature. The Italian VATS group has recently proposed to include in the VATS lobectomy database a structured protocol for ERAS.

Methods

The ERAS section of the Italian VATS group is proposing a comprehensive ERAS protocol within the VATS lobectomy database, allowing the prospective collection of a dedicated set of data. Separate sections of the protocol are dedicated to different topics of ERAS. This study is specifically dedicated to the section of physiokinesis therapy. The medical literature will be extensively reviewed and a physiotherapy (PT) protocol of ERAS will be presented and discussed. A seta of structured clinical pathways will also be suggested for adoption in the VATS Group database.

Discussion

Pre- and post-operative adoption of an ERAS protocol in patients undergoing VATS lobectomy may promote an improved post-operative course, a shorter hospital stay and an overall more comfortable patients' experience. The mainstays of a physiokinesis therapy ERAS protocol are patients' education, constant physical and respiratory therapy sessions, and adoption of adequate devices. Although many studies have investigated the usefulness of physical and respiratory physiokinesis therapy, a comprehensive ERAS protocol for VATS lobectomy patients has not yet been described. The proposed ERAS platform, adopted by the VATS Group database, will contribute to a prospective data collection and allow a scientific analysis of the results.

The impact of fast track protocols in upper gastrointestinal surgery: A meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Fast track surgery has been implemented in colorectal procedures during the last decade and is accompanied by significant improvement in patient outcomes during the early postoperative period. However, to date, its adoption in upper gastrointestinal surgery remains a matter of debate. In this context, we aimed to summarize the existing evidence in the international literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched Medline, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Central Register databases for published randomized controlled trials. The meta-analysis was performed with the RevMan 5.3.5 software.

MAIN FINDINGS

Thirty studies were finally included in the present meta-analysis. The post-operative morbidity was not influenced by the implementation of fast track surgery (FTS) (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.64-1.09). However, in cases treated with laparoscopic surgery fast track surgery seemed to reduce morbidity by 50% (p = .006). The overall mortality of patients was low in the majority of included studies and was not influenced by fast track surgery (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.50-2.52). The duration of postoperative hospitalization was significantly reduced with the adoption of FTS (MD -2.24, 95% CI -2.63 to -1.85 days). Concurrently, the overall cost was significantly reduced in cases treated with FTS (MD -982.30, 95% CI -1367.68 to -596.91 U.S dollars).

CONCLUSION

According to the findings of our meta-analysis suggest that FTS seems to be safe in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery and reduce both the days of postoperative hospitalization and the overall cost. This observation should be taken into account in future recommendations to enhance the implementation of FTS protocols in current clinical practice.

Fast-Tracking Patients Through the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pathways of Intrathoracic Conditions: The Role of Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

Fast-tracking patients in surgery has become standard in many hospitals. This allows for a shorter hospital stay and a complete organized pathway for treating patients. The operative trauma has an important role in the patient's recovery, as has the increasing use of minimally invasive procedures. In thoracic surgery, video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) procedures are aimed at reducing the operative trauma. One of the latest developments of VATS is represented by the uniportal approach, whose purpose is to reduce postoperative pain and morbidity. This article reviews the current literature and the authors' experience in combining uniportal VATS technique and fast-track surgery.

The impact of epidural analgesia compared to systemic opioid-based analgesia with regard to length of hospital stay and recovery of bowel function: retrospective evaluation of 1555 patients undergoing thoracotomy

Background

To assess the protocols of epidural analgesia versus systemic opioid-based analgesia retrospectively in 1555 thoracotomies in our thoracic centre during 2011–2013.

Methods

Pain therapy is aggressive and standardized in our thoracic centre thoughout the complete postoperative stay. Patients receive either standardized epidural analgesia with ropivacaine + sufentanil 4–8 mls/h (500 mls bag) and are bridged when the epidural bag is finished to a standardized controlled-release oxycodone protocol with non opioid every 6 hours (EDA Group), or patients receive immediately postoperative standardized oral analgesic protocol with controlled-released oxycodone and non opioid every 6 h (Opioid Group). All patients are visited daily by a pain specialist throughout the whole stay.

Results

Data of 1555 thoracotomies from 2011-2013 were analysed, 838 patients in the EDA Group and 717 patients in the Opioid Group. There was no difference with regard to sex or age between groups. 7.5% of patients in the EDA Group and 13% in the Oxy Group had a preexisting pain therapy (p = 0.001). In the EDA Group epidural analgesia was performed for 4.6 ± 1.5 days. Length of hospital stay was the same in both groups (EDA: 9.9.6 ± 4.9 vs Opioid: 9.6 ± 5.8 days). 84.7% of patients in the EDA Group and 79.1% of patients of the Oxy Group were dismissed with oral opioid (p < 0.004). When patients were dismissed with opioid medication patients in the EDA Group were dismissed with higher oxycodone opioid doses than patients in the Opioid Group (29.5 ± 15.2 mg vs 26.9 ± 15.2 mg, p = 0.01). There was no difference with regard to dejection time between the two groups (EDA: 3.8 ± 2.2 days vs Opioid: 3.7 ± 1.6 days, n.s.).

Conclusion

We first present data monitoring postoperative analgesic protocols after thoracotomies throughout the whole stay in hospital until dismission. Our retrospective data indicate that patients with epidural analgesia stay as long in hospital as patients with systemic opioid based therapy. Patients with initial epidural analgesia are dismissed with higher oxycodone opioid doses than patients with initial opioid based postoperative analgesia. We found no difference in recovery of bowel function.

Study limitations

The study design is retrospectively and results might be biased.

[Fast track in vascular surgery]

Vascular comorbidities are common in vascular surgery, being associated with perioperative complications. Since it was demonstrated that the postoperative course could be optimized by introduction of the fast track concept in general surgery, application to vascular surgery may also be of benefit. The fast track concept was introduced in our institution on May 1st 2008 with special adjustments for vascular surgery. The authors describe the development and implementation of a clinical pathway, which proved to be of value in vascular surgery.

[Fast track in thoracic surgery]

Patients undergoing thoracic surgery are threatened by pulmonary complications such as pneumonia and atelectasis. Age, preoperative FEV(1), operative time and extent of resection are predictors for adverse outcome. Reported morbidity after lung resection is as high as 42% and mortality up to 7%. Fast track in thoracic surgery aims at reducing morbidity and mortality rates after lung resection by introducing specific measures into the pre-, intra- and postoperative periods. Basic fast track elements in thoracic surgery are smoking cessation, preoperative physiotherapy, micronutrient supplementation, high thoracic epidural anesthesia, fluid restriction, early mobilization and enteral feeding. The effectiveness of these individual measures has been proven of value in perioperative care, however, evidence on multimodal therapy regimens in thoracic surgery is limited. In particular it remains to be elucidated which patients should be fast tracked in order to improve outcomes.

Effects of a clinical pathway for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) on quality and cost of care

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of a clinical pathway (CP) for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) on process quality, outcome quality, and hospital costs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We implemented a CP for VATS and compared 34 patients treated with CP to 77 patients treated without CP. Indicators for process quality were duration of catheter placement, pain intensity, respiratory exercising, and mobilization. Outcome quality was measured through morbidity, mortality, reoperations, and readmissions. Cost of hospital stay was calculated using an imputed daily rate.

RESULTS

Foley catheters were removed significantly earlier after CP implementation. All patients on CP were mobilized and received pulmonary exercising on the operation day. Pain levels were low after CP implementation. Median hospital stay significantly reduced by 5 days. Perioperative outcome quality remained unchanged. Costs significantly diminished by 1,510 Euro per stay.

CONCLUSIONS

CP implementation had positive effects on process quality. Specifically, catheter management was improved and a good pain control achieved. Patients benefited from shortened stay and were treated at lower cost. A clear effect on outcome quality was not found. CPs are a promising tool for quality improvement and cost containment in thoracic surgery.