Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol in bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS)-analysis of practices in nutritional aspects from five continents

Metabolic effects of an oral carbohydrate-whey protein supplement after fasting in volunteers: A randomized controlled crossover trial

OBJECTIVE

Oral supplements containing carbohydrates (CHOs) can be used to reduce preoperative fasting time. The aim of this study was to investigate the early metabolic and acute phase responses to a clear, oral supplement containing CHO and whey protein (WP) in young, healthy volunteers during a fasting-induced organic response.

METHODS

In this controlled crossover clinical trial, volunteers were randomized into groups after a 12-h fast: the CHO+WP group consumed 200 mL CHO enriched with WP (n = 30); the CHO group members consumed 200 mL water plus maltodextrin (n = 30), and the Fast group was fasted only (n = 30). Blood samples were collected after fasting and 3 h after ingestion of the supplement. The samples were analyzed for glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin, C-reactive protein, β-hydroxybutyrate, triacylglycerols, albumin, chlorine, and sodium. After 7 d, the groups were inverted, so all volunteers entered the three groups.

RESULTS

The nutritional intervention did not change the biochemical parameters related to the acute phase response or insulin resistance; however, there was a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001) in serum β-hydroxybutyrate in the CHO+WP group (0.05 ± 0.08 mmol/L) compared with the other two groups (Fast group: 0.11 ± 0.08 mmol/L; CHO group: 0.09 ± 0.13 mmol/L).

CONCLUSIONS

After overnight fasting, the oral supplement containing CHO and WP decreased ketosis. These findings may help select the most efficient oral supplement to be given 2 to 3 h before elective surgeries.

Perioperative Nutritional Management in Enhanced Recovery after Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is a crucial health problem because it leads to several chronic diseases with an increased risk of mortality and it is very hard to reverse with conventional treatment including changes in lifestyle and pharmacotherapy. Bariatric surgery (BS), comprising a range of various surgical procedures that modify the digestive tract favouring weight loss, is considered the most effective medical intervention to counteract severe obesity, especially in the presence of metabolic comorbidities. The Enhanced Recovery After Bariatric Surgery (ERABS) protocols include a set of recommendations that can be applied before and after BS. The primary aim of ERABS protocols is to facilitate and expedite the recovery process while enhancing the overall effectiveness of bariatric procedures. ERABS protocols include indications about preoperative fasting as well as on how to feed the patient on the day of the intervention, and how to nourish and hydrate in the days after BS. This narrative review examines the application, the feasibility and the efficacy of ERABS protocols applied to the field of nutrition. We found that ERABS protocols, in particular not fasting the patient before the surgery, are often not correctly applied for reasons that are not evidence-based. Furthermore, we identified some gaps in the research about some practises that could be implemented in the presence of additional evidence.

Mid-term Results of an ERAS Program of Bariatric Surgery in a Tertiary Referral Center

BACKGROUND

To identify preoperative risk factors for discharge failure beyond postoperative day two (POD-2) in bariatric surgery ERAS program in a tertiary referral center.

METHODS

all consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic bariatric treated in accordance with ERAS protocol between January 2017 and December 2019 were included. Two groups were identified, failure of early discharge (> POD-2) (ERAS-F) and success of early discharge (≤ POD-2) (ERAS-S). Overall postoperative morbidity, unplanned readmission rates were analyzed at POD-30 and POD-90, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the independent risk factors for LOS > 2 days (ERAS-F).

RESULTS

A total of 697 consecutive patients were included, 148 (21.2%) in ERAS-F group and 549 (78.8%) in ERAS-S group. All postoperative complications at POD 90, whether medical or surgical were significantly more frequent in ERAS-F group than in ERAS-S group. Neither readmission nor unplanned consultations rates at POD 90 were significantly different between both groups. History of psychiatric disorder (p = 0.01), insulin-dependent diabetes (p < 0.0001), use of anticoagulants medicine (p < 0.00001), distance to the referral center > 100 km (p = 0.006), gallbladder lithiasis (p = 0.02), and planned additional procedures (p = 0.01) were independent risk factors for delayed discharge beyond POD-2.

CONCLUSIONS

One in five patients with bariatric surgery failed to discharge earlier despite the ERAS program. Knowledge of these preoperative risk factors would allow us to identify patients who need more recovery time and a tailored approach to the ERAS protocol.

Brazilian guide to nutrition in bariatric and metabolic surgery

PURPOSE

Brazilian nutrition recommendations for bariatric and metabolic surgery aim to provide knowledge, based on scientific evidence, on nutritional practices related to different surgical techniques in the surgical treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was carried out with the appropriate MeSH terms using Medline/Pubmed/LiLACS and the Cochrane database, with the established criteria being based on the inclusion of articles according to the degree of recommendation and strength of evidence of the Classification of Recommendations, Evaluation, Development, and Evaluation System (GRADE).

RESULTS

The recommendations that make up this guide were gathered to assist in the individualized clinical practice of nutritionists in the nutritional management of patients with obesity, including nutritional management in the intragastric balloon; pre and postoperative nutritional treatment and supplementation in bariatric and metabolic surgeries (adolescents, adults, elderly, pregnant women, and vegetarians); hypoglycemia and reactive hyperinsulinemia; and recurrence of obesity, gut microbiota, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

CONCLUSION

We believe that this guide of recommendations will play a decisive role in the clinical practice of nutritionists who work in bariatric and metabolic surgery, with its implementation in health services, thus promoting quality and safety in the treatment of patients with obesity. The concept of precision nutrition is expected to change the way we understand and treat these patients.

A Hub and Spoke Learning Program in Bariatric Surgery in a Small Region of Italy

Background

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (BS) are considered life-changing and life-saving treatments for obese patients. The Italian Society of Obesity Surgery (SICOB) requires at least 25 operations per year to achieve the standard of care in the field. Despite the increasing need to treat obese patients, some small southern regions of Italy, such as Molise, do not have enough experience in bariatric procedures to be allowed to perform them. Therefore, our aim was to run a Hub and Spoke Program with a referral center in BS to treat obese patients and provide a proper learning curve in BS in Molise.

Methods

In 2020, the “A. Cardarelli Hospital” in Campobasso, Molise, started a formal “Learning Model of Hub and Spoke Collaboration” with the Hub center “Ospedale Del Mare”, Naples. A multidisciplinary approach was achieved. Patients were supervised and operated under the supervision and tutoring of the referral center. We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively collected database from February 2020 to August 2021 in order to analyze the safety and effectiveness of our learning program.

Results

In total, 13 (3 men and 10 women) patients underwent BS with the mean age of 47.08 years and a presurgery BMI of 41.79. Seven (53.84%) patients were the American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) II, and 6 (46.16%) patients were ASA III. Twelve (92.31%) procedures were laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies, 1 (7.69%) patient underwent endoscopic BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) placement. One (8.33%) sleeve gastrectomy was associated to gastric band removal. Mean surgical time was 110.14 ± 23.54 min. The mean length of stay was 4.07 ± 2.40 days. No Clavien-Dindo ≥ III and mortality were reported. The follow-up program showed a mean decrease of 11.82 in terms of body mass index (BMI) value. The last 5 procedures were performed by the whole equips from “A. Cardarelli” under external tutoring without any impact on complication rate.

Conclusion

The setup of a proper Hub and Spoke Program may allow to perform BS to provide the standard of care. This approach may reduce health costs and related patient migration.

Barriers to implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) by a multidisciplinary team in China: a multicentre qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the attitudes and barriers encountered in the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in China from the perspective of multidisciplinary team members.

DESIGN

Based on Donabedian's structure-process-outcome (SPO) model, a multicentre qualitative study using semistructured interviews was conducted.

SETTING

From September 2020 to December 2020, the participants of this study were interviewed from six tertiary hospitals in Sichuan province (n=3), Jiangsu province (n=2) and Guangxi province (n=1) in China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 42 members, including surgeons (n=11), anaesthesiologists (n=10), surgical nurses (n=14) and dietitians(n=7) were interviewed.

RESULTS

Multidisciplinary team (MDT) members still face many barriers during the process of implementing ERAS. Eight main themes are described around the barriers in the implementation of ERAS. Themes in the structure dimension are: (1) shortage of medical resources, (2) lack of policy support and (3) outdated concepts. Themes in the process dimension are: (1) poor doctor-patient collaboration, (2) poor communication and collaboration among MDT members and (3) lack of individualised management. Themes in the outcome dimension are: (1) low compliance and (2) high medical costs. The current implementation of ERAS is still based on ideas more than reality.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, barriers to ERAS implementation are broad. Identifying key elements of problems in the application and promotion of ERAS from the perspective of the MDT would provide a starting point for future quality improvement of ERAS, enhance the clinical effect of ERAS and increase formalised ERAS utilisation in China.

Anesthesia and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Bariatric Surgery

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society published guidelines for bariatric surgery reviewing the evidence and providing specific care recommendations. These guidelines emphasize preoperative nutrition, multimodal analgesia, postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis, anesthetic technique, nutrition, and mobilization. Several studies have since evaluated these pathways, showing them to be safe and effective at decreasing hospital length of stay and postoperative nausea and vomiting. This article emphasizes anesthetic management in the perioperative period and outlines future directions, including the application of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery principles in patients with extreme obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disease and standardization of the pathways to decrease heterogeneity.