Enhanced recovery after surgery-ERAS-principles, practice and feasibility in the elderly

Obstacles to Compliance and Implementation of ERAS Protocol From Nursing Perspective: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a concept that covers evidence-based practices and requires multidisciplinary teamwork, and nurses play a key role in this team. This qualitative research is conducted to describe the experiences of nurses implementing ERAS and the obstacles they encounter in practice.

DESIGN

This research was conducted using the phenomenology pattern, one of the qualitative research designs.

METHODS

The research study group was determined by criterion sampling, one of the purposeful sampling methods.The criterion for participation in this study is to follow at least one of the steps of the ERAS protocol and volunteer to participate in the study. In this context, 12 nurses who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Data were obtained from May 1 to May 31, 2023 using an introductory information form and a semistructured interview form. The introductory information form asked questions such as age, gender, marital status, working year, ERAS application time, and total working year. The semistructured interview form, developed by the authors based on the related literature, consisted of four open-ended questions 1The obtained data were analyzed using the seven-step Colaizzi method.

FINDINGS

The study identified three themes: the importance of the ERAS protocol, the obstacles to the ERAS protocol, compliance with the ERAS protocol and applicability. Nine subthemes were found: reducing complications and accelerating the healing process, increasing the level of satisfaction, lack of knowledge, leader confusion, resistance to change, lack of team cooperation, policy, leadership, and education.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed the experiences of nurses who implement at least one component of ERAS protocols regarding the obstacles to the implementation of the protocol. As a result, nurses stated that lack of information and team cooperation, leader complexity, and resistance to change were obstacles to the protocol. Identifying the obstacles encountered in the implementation of the protocols is important for producing solution suggestions.

EAES/SAGES evidence-based recommendations and expert consensus on optimization of perioperative care in older adults

BACKGROUND

As the population ages, more older adults are presenting for surgery. Age-related declines in physiological reserve and functional capacity can result in frailty and poor outcomes after surgery. Hence, optimizing perioperative care in older patients is imperative. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways and Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) may influence surgical outcomes, but current use and impact on older adults patients is unknown. The aim of this study was to provide evidence-based recommendations on perioperative care of older adults undergoing major abdominal surgery.

METHODS

Expert consensus determined working definitions for key terms and metrics related to perioperative care. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases for 24 pre-defined key questions in the topic areas of prehabilitation, MIS, and ERAS in major abdominal surgery (colorectal, upper gastrointestinal (UGI), Hernia, and hepatopancreatic biliary (HPB)) to generate evidence-based recommendations following the GRADE methodology.

RESULT

Older adults were defined as 65 years and older. Over 20,000 articles were initially retrieved from search parameters. Evidence synthesis was performed across the three topic areas from 172 studies, with meta-analyses conducted for MIS and ERAS topics. The use of MIS and ERAS was recommended for older adult patients particularly when undergoing colorectal surgery. Expert opinion recommended prehabilitation, cessation of smoking and alcohol, and correction of anemia in all colorectal, UGI, Hernia, and HPB procedures in older adults. All recommendations were conditional, with low to very low certainty of evidence, with the exception of ERAS program in colorectal surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

MIS and ERAS are recommended in older adults undergoing major abdominal surgery, with evidence supporting use in colorectal surgery. Though expert opinion supported prehabilitation, there is insufficient evidence supporting use. This work has identified evidence gaps for further studies to optimize older adults undergoing major abdominal surgery.

Initial Results of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Program in Patients Undergoing Lobectomy in the Treatment of Lung Cancer: An Experience From the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City

BACKGROUND

Lobectomy is a standard surgical method in the treatment of early stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program aims to reduce the postoperative length of hospital stay (PLOS) in major surgeries. This study evaluated the impact of the ERAS program on PLOS and identified related factors in patients undergoing lobectomy for NSCLC.

METHODS

This prospective observational study was conducted at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from February 2022 to December 2023. We included patients diagnosed with NSCLC scheduled for lobectomy. The ERAS protocol was applied according to guidelines from the ERAS Society and the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine. We collected data on patient demographics, surgical details, adherence to the ERAS protocol, and postoperative outcomes, including the PLOS.

RESULTS

Among the 98 patients enrolled, the median PLOS after ERAS intervention was 4.1 days (interquartile range: 3.7 to 5.2 days). Adherence to ERAS protocols significantly correlated with reduced PLOS (p<0.001). Notably, smoking status was identified as a related factor of PLOS (p=0.002). Complications (p<0.001), surgical method (p=0.007), operation time (p<0.001), duration of postanesthesia care unit (p=0.006), duration of thoracic drainage (p<0.001), and urinary catheter retention time (p=0.023) were also associated with PLOS variations.

CONCLUSION

Implementing the ERAS program in patients undergoing lobectomy for NSCLC at our center reduced PLOS and highlighted the importance of protocol adherence for optimizing surgical outcomes. These findings supported the broader adoption of ERAS protocols in thoracic surgery to enhance patient recovery. Future research should focus on multi-center studies to generalize these results and further dissect the impact of individual ERAS components.

Level of implementation of pain management and early mobilization strategies to prevent delirium in geriatric trauma patients: A mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

Pain management and early mobilization strategies are recommended in clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of delirium in older adults. However, available data on the implementation of these strategies in trauma are limited.

AIMS

To describe the use of pain management and early mobilization strategies in older adults at a level I trauma center, as well as the facilitators and barriers to their implementation.

METHODS

A convergent mixed methods study was used. Quantitative data were collected from sixty medical records. Qualitative data was collected through a focus group with healthcare providers to explore their perspectives regarding the use of the target practices and on barriers and facilitators to their implementation. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and a thematic analysis using an inductive and deductive interpretative descriptive approach was undertaken.

RESULTS

A question on the presence/absence of pain was the most frequently documented pain assessment method. Pain assessment was poorly documented. Frequencies of non-opioid and opioid administrations were similar, but non-pharmacological strategies were not widely used. The first mobilization was performed quickly and was most commonly to a chair. The focus group discussion confirmed many of the data collected in the medical records. Barriers to implementing the targeted strategies were primarily related to organizational context and facilitation processes.

CONCLUSIONS

Areas for improvement were identified including pain assessment, the use of non-pharmacological pain management strategies and ambulation as a mobilization strategy. Our findings will serve as a starting point for optimizing and adapting practices for geriatric trauma patients and evaluating their impact.

Evaluation of enhanced recovery after surgery for gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

For complicated surgical patients, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) decreases stress and hospital stays. It accelerates recovery and lowers readmissions, morbidity, and death. ERAS's effectiveness in stomach cancer laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) or robotic gastrectomy is still debated.

Aim

This study assesses the efficacy and safety of the ERAS program for patients undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Material and methods

PRISMA-compliant searches were performed in Medline, Embase, PubMed, the Web of Sciences, and the Cochrane Library databases until March 2023. The search included articles that compared ERAS protocol results for gastric cancer surgery patients to conventional care. RevMan performed meta-analysis, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool assessed study quality.

Results

This meta-analysis contained 11 carefully chosen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1790 people. The ERAS group had 902 participants, while the traditional care group had 888. The ERAS group had a shorter post-operative hospital stay, with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of -1.12 days (95% CI: -1.89 to -0.35, p = 0.00001), I2 = 89%, and a lower number of patients with post-operative problems, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.55 to 0.97; p = 0.03), I2 = 60%.

Conclusions

The ERAS procedure has been shown to be effective as well as beneficial for patients undergoing either laparoscopic-assisted or robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer, since it lowers post-operative complications and accelerates recovery with improved results.

Prehabilitation programs - a systematic review of the economic evidence

Introduction

Prehabilitation, which involves improving a patient's physical and psychological condition before surgery, has shown potential benefits but has yet to be extensively studied from an economic perspective. To address this gap, a systematic review was conducted to summarize existing economic evaluations of prehabilitation interventions.

Methods

The PRISMA Protocols 2015 checklist was followed. Over 16,000 manuscripts were reviewed, and 99 reports on preoperative interventions and screening tests were identified, of which 12 studies were included in this analysis. The costs are expressed in Pounds (GBP, £) and adjusted for inflation to December 2022.

Results

The studies were conducted in Western countries, focusing on specific surgical subspecialties. While the interventions and study designs varied, most studies demonstrated cost savings in the intervention group compared to the control group. Additionally, all cost-effectiveness analysis studies favored the intervention group. However, the review also identified several limitations. Many studies had a moderate or high risk of bias, and critical information such as time horizons and discount rates were often missing. Important components like heterogeneity, distributional effects, and uncertainty were frequently lacking as well. The misclassification of economic evaluation types highlighted a lack of knowledge among physicians in prehabilitation research.

Conclusion

This review reveals a lack of robust evidence regarding the economics of prehabilitation programs for surgical patients. This suggests a need for further research with rigorous methods and accurate definitions.

Perioperative analgesia in the elderly

The administration of analgesic drugs in elderly patients should take into account age-related physiological changes, loss of efficiency of homeostatic mechanisms, and pharmacological interactions with chronic therapies. Underestimation of pain in patients with impaired cognition is often linked to difficulties in pain assessment. In the preoperative phase, it is essential to assess the physical status, cognitive reserve, and previous chronic pain conditions to plan effective analgesia. Furthermore, an accurate pharmacological history of the patient must be collected to establish any possible interaction with the whole perioperative analgesic plan. The use of analgesic drugs with different mechanisms of action for pain relief in the intraoperative phase is a crucial step to achieve adequate postoperative pain control in older adults. The combined multimodal and opioid-sparing strategy is strongly recommended to reduce side effects. The use of various adjuvants is also preferable. Moreover, the implementation of non-pharmacological approaches may lead to faster recovery. High-quality postoperative analgesia in older patients can be achieved only with a collaborative interdisciplinary team. The aim of this review is to highlight the perioperative pain management strategies in the elderly with a special focus on intraoperative pharmacological interventions.

A diarized journey: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the older person's lived experience of a hip or knee replacement within a fast-track programme

BACKGROUND

For the older person living with end-stage hip or knee osteoarthritis, a hip or knee replacement can be a traumatic event, influencing the physical, physiological, psychological, social and economic facets of daily living. This interpretative phenomenological study aimed to reveal and interpret the daily lived experiences of the older person before, during and after a primary total hip or knee replacement surgery in a fast-track programme in South Africa.

METHODS

A qualitative interpretive phenomenological study, collecting data through solicited diaries and reflexive member validation interviews from seven participants aged 65-75 years, who underwent a primary elective hip or knee replacement surgery. The surgical fast-track process and data collection process happened simultaneously. Data collection from the solicited diary started before surgery, continued during the surgery process and finished six weeks after surgery and this was followed with reflexive member validation interviews. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used throughout the three phases of the fast-track programme.

RESULTS

Three superordinate themes developed during the three phases of surgery: "The holistic impact of pain on daily quality of life", "Finding ways to cope", and "Transition between independence and dependence and back". Although former research confirms the physical impact of osteoarthritis on the older person and the success of fast-track programmes for subsequent hip and knee replacements, this study contributes to the holistic impact of the surgery on participants' daily lives. The diarized journey of individuals through the psychological, psychosocial, physical, professional, and spiritual experience are described and interpreted in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Across the solicited diaries, it was clear that pain as catalyst impacted the daily activities of the individual physically, psychologically, and psychosocially. Pain was subjectively present at different intensities during all the phases of the replacement surgery, impairing mobilization and triggering roller-coaster emotions. In order to cope with physical and emotional difficulties while preparing and adjusting to the environment, participants reflected on social support, physical and professional support, and spirituality. Throughout the preparation, hospitalization and the recovery process, the transition between independence, dependence, and back to independence was significant, reinforcing the individual's determination to recover.

Knowledge, Implementation, and Perception of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Amongst Surgeons in Pakistan: A Survey Analysis

INTRODUCTION

An increasing shift towards non-communicable diseases and an existing high surgical burden of disease in low-middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Pakistan, has driven the need for implementing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), a safe and cost-effective surgical service aimed at improving patient recovery and reducing post-operative complications. Despite countless benefits, there are few ERAS programs throughout Pakistan and sparse literature on healthcare professionals' views regarding ERAS. Without a deep understanding of healthcare professionals' perspectives on ERAS, underlying barriers and facilitators to a long-term ERAS implementation cannot be addressed and improved upon. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to better understand the knowledge, implementation, and perception of ERAS from the perspective of healthcare professionals across Pakistan.

METHODS

Upon receiving ethical approval from the McGill University Health Center (MUHC), a previously validated questionnaire was modified and a 29-question survey was developed and disseminated to healthcare professionals practising in Pakistan. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and potential correlations that exist between the implementation of ERAS and the participants' gender, employment setting, and surgical specialty were investigated using the chi-squared analysis with a p-value of 0.05 as the cutoff.

RESULTS

A total of 49 participants responded to this survey of whom 34 (69%) worked at a tertiary care teaching hospital whereas 15 (31%) worked at a private hospital. Surprisingly, 42 (85%) participants expressed being aware of the ERAS guidelines with only 30 (61%) either strongly agreeing or agreeing to successfully implementing ERAS into practice. The largest discrepancies in implementation were seen when discussing specific elements of the ERAS guidelines such as preoperative carbohydrate loading, practicing prolonged preoperative fasting, performing mechanical bowel preparation, performing active patient warming, and early postoperative removal of Foley's catheter. Surgeons employed at a private institution were more likely to discuss postoperative pain management and control, less likely to utilize prolonged fasting, more likely to perform regular body temperature monitoring, more likely to practice providing chewing gum to patients postoperatively, and more likely to perform early removal of the Foley's catheter.

CONCLUSION

An understanding of ERAS, the implementation of various elements, and a positive attitude toward its benefits definitely seem to be prevalent among healthcare professionals in Pakistan. However, key barriers and enablers specific to the underlying healthcare environment seem to be hindering the long-term successful implementation of ERAS across Pakistan. It is crucial for future studies to explore these barriers in further detail and involve the perspective of these key stakeholders to help enhance long-term ERAS adoption.

A new nursing pattern based on ERAS concept for patients with lumbar degenerative diseases treated with OLIF surgery: A retrospective study

Objective

The purpose of this study was to introduce enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept into patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who were treated with oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF), and to assess whether it could increase clinical efficacy, reduce perioperative complications, shorten length of hospital stay (LHS), decrease readmission rate, and improve patient satisfaction.

Methods

The study included patients with lumbar degenerative diseases (LDDs) who underwent OLIF between July 2017 and October 2018 (non-ERAS group), and between November 2018 and July 2020 (ERAS group). The two groups were compared according to the demographic and clinical characteristics.

Results

There was no significant difference in descriptive characteristics and concomitant diseases between the two groups. The preoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI) score (P = 0.191), lumbar visual analogue scale (VAS) score (P = 0.470), and leg VAS score (P = 0.657) did not significantly different. Most of the ERAS measures were also well implemented after surgery, except for early delivery (74.2%), early catheter removal (63.9%), and multimodal analgesia (80.6%). The LHS in the ERAS group was significantly shorter than that in the non-ERAS group (P = 0.004). Besides, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) score at 3 days after surgery showed a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.019). The patient satisfaction in ERAS group was significantly higher than that in the non-ERAS group (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The new nursing pattern combined with ERAS in patients with LDDs who underwent OLIF did not improve the short-term prognosis of surgery, while it could effectively reduce postoperative complications, shorten the LHS, and improve patient satisfaction, and did not lead to additional adverse events.

Enhanced recovery after colorectal surgery is a safe and effective pathway for older patients: a pooling up analysis

PURPOSE

The current study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of Enhanced Recovery after surgery (ERAS) in older patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

METHODS

Three databases including PubMed, Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Library were used for searching eligible studies on Jun 8^th,2022. To evaluate the effect of ERAS, we focused on the short-term outcomes including postoperative complications and recovery. Subgroup analysis was also conducted for patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. All the data processing and analyses were carried out by Stata (V.16.0) software.

RESULTS

Finally, there were fourteen studies involving 5961 patients enrolled in this study. As for surgical outcomes, we found that the older group had more overall complications (OR = 1.41, I² = 36.59%, 95% CI = 1.20 to 1.65, P = 0.00), more obstruction (OR = 1.462, I² = 0.00%, 95% CI = 1.037 to 2.061, P = 0.0304), more respiratory complications (OR = 1.721, I² = 0.00%, 95% CI = 1.177 to 2.515, P = 0.0051), more cardiovascular complications (OR = 3.361, I² = 57.72%, 95% CI = 1.072 to 10.542, P = 0.0377), more urinary complications (OR = 1.639, I² = 37.63%, 95% CI = 1.168 to 2.299, P = 0.0043), less readmission (OR = 0.662, I² = 44.48%, 95% CI = 0.484 to 0.906, P = 0.0100), higher mortality (OR = 0.662, I² = 44.48%, 95% CI = 0.484 to 0.906, P = 0.0100), and longer overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.21, I² = 0.00%, 95% CI = 0.566 to 1.859, P = 0.0002)). Subgroup analysis also found that older CRC patients had a higher risk of overall complications (OR = 1.37, I² = 37.51%, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.78, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Although ERAS could accelerate postoperative recovery and reduce postoperative complications, older patients who received ERAS still had higher complication incidence than younger patients. Although the proportion of re-hospitalizations was lower and the OS was better, doctors could not rely too much on ERAS. More measures were needed to improve the outcomes of colorectal surgery in older patients.

The impact of preoperative nutritional screening, ERAS protocol, and mini-invasive surgery in surgical oncology: A multi-institutional SEM analysis of patients with digestive cancer

Background

Mini-invasive surgery (MIS), ERAS, and preoperative nutritional screening are currently used to reduce complications and the length of hospital stay (LOS); however, inter-variable correlations have seldom been explored. This research aimed to define inter-variable correlations in a large series of patients with gastrointestinal cancer and their impact on outcomes.

Methods

Patients with consecutive cancer who underwent radical gastrointestinal surgery between 2019 and 2020 were analyzed. Age, BMI, comorbidities, ERAS, nutritional screening, and MIS were evaluated to determine their impact on 30-day complications and LOS. Inter-variable correlations were measured, and a latent variable was computed to define the patients' performance status using nutritional screening and comorbidity. Analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results

Of the 1,968 eligible patients, 1,648 were analyzed. Univariable analyses documented the benefit of nutritional screening for LOS and MIS and ERAS (≥7 items) for LOS and complications; conversely, being male and comorbidities correlated with complications, while increased age and BMI correlated with worse outcomes. SEM analysis revealed that (a) the latent variable is explained by the use of nutritional screening (p0·004); (b) the variables were correlated (age–comorbidity, ERAS–MIS, and ERAS–nutritional screening, p &lt; 0·001); and (c) their impact on the outcomes was based on direct effects (complications: sex, p0·001), indirect effects (LOS: MIS-ERAS-nutritional screening, p &lt; 0·001; complications: MIS-ERAS, p0·001), and regression-based effects (LOS: ERAS, MIS, p &lt; 0·001, nutritional screening, p0·021; complications: ERAS, MIS, p &lt; 0·001, sex, p0·001). Finally, LOS and complications were correlated (p &lt; 0·001).

Conclusion

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), MIS, and nutritional screening are beneficial in surgical oncology; however, the inter-variable correlation is reliable, underlying the importance of the multidisciplinary approach.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery and Elderly Patients

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a new way of working where evidence-based care elements are assembled to form a care pathway involving the patient's entire journey through surgery. Many elements included in ERAS have stress-reducing effects on the body or helps avoid side effects associated with alternative treatment options. This leads to less overall stress from the injury caused by the operation and helps facilitate recovery. In old, frail patients with concomitant diseases and less physical reserves, this may help explain why the ERAS care is reported to be beneficial for this specific patient group.

Patients' Perceptions of Experiences of Postoperative Chest Drain Tube Insertion: A Pilot Survey

BACKGROUND

Pleural drainage is a routine procedure conducted after thoracotomy and thoracoscopy. It is used to remove air or excess fluid from a pleural cavity and enables proper lung expansion. Essential elements of care provided during hospitalization and treatment include meeting patients' growing expectations and continually improving quality while optimizing safety.

AIM

This study aimed to explore patients' experiences with pleural drainage after thoracic surgery and their correlation with socio-demographic data.

METHODS

A pilot survey with an exploratory design was conducted at a large teaching hospital in Poland, in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the University Clinical Centre in Gdansk. The study involved the analysis of 100 randomly selected subjects with a chest tube drain. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect social, demographic, and clinical data. Twenty-three questions related to experiences with pleural drainage, ailments, limitations in daily functioning, and security with a chest tube were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. Patients completed the questionnaire on the third postoperative day.

RESULTS

Individuals fitted with a traditional water-seal drainage system felt safer than those from the digital drainage group (p = 0.017). Statistically significant differences were found in the assessment of nursing assistance (p = 0.025); the number of satisfied patients was greater in a group of unemployed people. No correlation was found between demographic and social factors and the patients' sense of security (gender: p = 0.348, age: p = 0.172, education level: p = 0.154, professional activity: p = 0.665).

CONCLUSIONS

Demographic and social characteristics did not significantly affect patients' sense of safety with chest drainage types. Patients with traditional drainage felt significantly safer than patients with digital drainage. Patient knowledge of pleural drainage management was not satisfactory, with a number of patients indicating a lack of knowledge in this area. This is important information that should be considered when planning measures to improve the quality of care.

Ameliyat Öncesi ve Sonrası Dönemde Yapılan Uygulamaların ERAS Protokolüne Uygunluğunun Değerlendirilmesi

Amaç: Bu çalışma, ameliyat öncesi ve sonrası dönemde yapılan uygulamaların ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protokolüne uygunluğunun değerlendirilmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır.Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı-kesitsel nitelikte tasarlanan araştırma, Ocak – Temmuz 2019 tarihleri arasında bir üniversitenin Sağlık Araştırma ve Uygulama Merkezinin cerrahi kliniklerinde yürütülmüştür. Ameliyatı planlanan, çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden 863 hasta araştırma örneklemini oluşturmuştur. Veriler, araştırmacılar tarafından literatür doğrultusunda hazırlanan anket formu, Vizüel Analog Skala ve Bulantı Sayısal Ölçeği ile yüz yüze görüşme yöntemiyle toplanmıştır. Veriler, SPSS 20.0 paket programında tanımlayıcı istatistikler kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir.Bulgular: Çalışmadaki hastaların tamamının ameliyat öncesi dönemde oral karbonhidrat almadığı, ameliyat öncesi aç kalma sürelerinin 10,55±6,91 saat olduğu ve hastalara premedikasyon uygulanmadığı belirlenmiştir. Hastaların ameliyat sonrası; ilk sıvı alma zamanı ortalamasının 10,45±15,44 saat, ilk katı gıda alma zamanı ortalamasının 18,70±29,23 saat olduğu, ilk mobilizasyon süresinin 19,02±21,39 saat, nazogastrik sonda kalış süresi ortalamasının 29,33±28,80 saat, drenin kalış süresi ortalamasının 54,30±28,06 saat, üriner kateter kalış süresi ortalamasının 49,51±27,40 saat olduğu saptanmıştır.Sonuç: Çalışma sonucunda ERAS protokollerine uyumun istenilen düzeyde olmadığı ve sağlık çalışanlarına ERAS’la uyumlu olmayan uygulamalarla ilgili eğitim verilmesi önerilebilir.

Knee-extensor strength, symptoms, and need for surgery after two, four, or six exercise sessions/week using a home-based one-exercise program: a randomized dose-response trial of knee-extensor resistance exercise in patients eligible for knee replacement (the QUADX-1 trial)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate firstly the efficacy of three different dosages of one home-based, knee-extensor resistance exercise on knee-extensor strength in patients eligible for knee replacement, and secondly, the influence of exercise on symptoms, physical function and decision on surgery.

METHOD

One-hundred and forty patients eligible for knee replacement were randomized to three groups: 2, 4 or 6 home-based knee-extensor resistance exercise-sessions per week (group 2, 4 and 6 respectively) for 12 weeks.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

isometric knee-extensor strength.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

Oxford Knee Score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, average knee pain last week (0-10 numeric rating scale), 6-min walk test, stair climbing test, exercise adherence and "need for surgery".

RESULTS

Primary analysis: Intention-to-treat analysis of 140 patients did not find statistically significant differences between the groups from baseline to after 12 weeks of exercise in isometric knee-extensor strength: Group 2 vs 4 (0.003 Nm/kg (0.2%) [95% CI -0.15 to 0.15], P = 0.965) and group 4 vs 6 (-0.04 Nm/kg (-2.7%) [95% CI -0.15 to 0.12], P = 0.628). Secondary analysis: Intention-to-treat analyses showed statistically significant differences between the two and six sessions/week groups in favor of the two sessions/week group for Oxford Knee Score: 4.8 OKS points (15.2%) [1.3 to 8.3], P = 0.008) and avg. knee pain last week (NRS 0-10): -1.3 NRS points (-19.5%) [-2.3 to -0.2], P = 0.018. After the 12-week exercise intervention, data were available for 117 patients (N = 39/group): 38 (32.5%) patients wanted surgery and 79 (67.5%) postponed surgery. This was independent of exercise dosage.

CONCLUSION

In patients eligible for knee-replacement we found no between-group differences in isometric knee extensor strength after 2, 4 and 6 knee-extensor resistance exercise sessions per week. We saw no indication of an exercise dose-response relationship for isometric knee-extensor strength and only clinically irrelevant within group changes. For some secondary outcome (e.g., KOOS subscales) we found clinically relevant within group changes, which could help explain why only one in three patients decided to have surgery after the simple home-based exercise intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02931058. Preprint: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.07.21254965.

High-dose preoperative glucocorticoid for prevention of emergence and postoperative delirium in liver resection: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial substudy

BACKGROUND

Emergence delirium (ED) and postoperative delirium (POD) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality and occur in up to one-third of patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery, where the underlying pathogenesis is multifactorial, including increased inflammation. We aimed to assess the effect of pre-operative high- versus low-dose glucocorticoid on the occurrence of ED and POD.

METHODS

This was a substudy from a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial. Patients ≥18 years, undergoing open liver resection were randomized 1:1 to high-dose (HD, 10 mg/kg methylprednisolone) or low-dose (LD, 8 mg dexamethasone) glucocorticoid and assessed for ED and POD for a maximum of 4 days during hospitalization. The 3-min Diagnostic Interview for CAM-defined delirium (3D-CAM) was used for assessment, 15 and 90 min after arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and subsequently once daily in the ward.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients were included in this secondary substudy (26 HD-group and 27 LD-group). ED occurred in n = 5 HD versus n = 6 LD patients 15 min after PACU arrival. At 90 min after PACU arrival, 4 patients had ED, all from LD-group, and resulted in significantly longer PACU admission, 273 versus 178 min in ED versus Non-ED patients. During the first 4 days in the ward, n = 5 patients had at least one occurrence of POD, all from LD-group.

CONCLUSIONS

The primary finding of the current substudy was a lower occurrence of ED/POD in the PACU 90 min after arrival and during the first four postoperative days in patients receiving high-dose glucocorticoid compared with patients receiving low-dose glucocorticoid. The two study groups were not evenly balanced concerning known explanatory factors, i.e., age and size of surgery, which calls for larger studies to elucidate the matter.

The Utility of the 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index to Predict Postoperative Risk in Microsurgical Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Microsurgical reconstruction is an integral part of plastic surgery. The 5-factor modified frailty index (5-mFI) is an effective tool to predict postoperative complications across multiple subspecialties. We aimed to determine if frailty scores using the 5-mFI can predict postoperative complications specifically in microvascular reconstruction.

STUDY DESIGN

Frailty scores were retrospectively assessed in microsurgical reconstruction patients (2012-2016) using the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program base. The 5 variables that comprise the 5-mFI are history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of congestive heart failure, functional status, hypertension requiring medication and diabetes. The data were analyzed using the Goodman test, χ2 test, and a logistic regression model. The congruence was also compared between the 5-mFI and the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification in predicting complications.

RESULTS

Of 5894 patients, the highest 5-mFI value was "3." Analyses show an increase in postoperative complications requiring ICU care. Further models indicate an association between readmission with hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P < 0.05). There was an increased risk of a failure to wean from ventilator with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes and an increased risk of readmission with a history of hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The 5-mFI and ASA were incongruent in predicting postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The 5-mFI predicts postoperative complications in the microsurgical reconstruction population. Although the 5-mFI and ASA predict different complications, their use provides insight into the potential adjustable risks before surgery.

Outcomes of enhanced recovery after surgery in lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

[Medical oncological treatment of colorectal cancer in the elderly]

Approximately a quarter of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery are over 75 years of age. Their care must therefore be adapted to minimise his functional consequences, which can be more significant in an elderly patient.

Clinical validation of implementing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol in elderly colorectal cancer patients

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of applying enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in elderly colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent elective colorectal cancer surgery at our institution, from January 2017 to December 2017, were reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the young group (YG, patients aged 70 and under 70 years) and the old group (OG, patients over 70 years old). Perioperative outcomes and length of hospital stay were compared between both groups.

RESULTS

In total, 335 patients were enrolled; 237 were YG and 98 were OG. Despite the poorer baseline characteristics of OG, the perioperative outcomes were similar. Length of hospital stay was not different between the groups (YG, 5 days vs. OG, 5 days; P=0.320). When comparing the postoperative complications using the comprehensive complication index (CCI), there was no significant difference (YG, 8.0±13.2 vs. OG, 11.7±23.0; P=0.130). In regression analysis, old age (>70 years) was not a risk factor for high CCI in all patients. In multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein (CRP) level on postoperative day (POD) 3 to 4 was the only strong predictive factor for high CCI in elderly patients.

CONCLUSION

Implementing the ERAS protocol in patients aged >70 years is safe and feasible. High CRP (≥6.47 mg/dL) on POD 3 to 4 can be used as a safety index to postpone discharge in elderly patients.

Effect of Different Anesthesia and Puncture Methods of Percutaneous Kyphoplasty on More Than 90-Year-Old Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture: Advantages of the ERAS Concept

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is an effective minimally invasive technique for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) in recent years. This study focuses on the analysis of PKP surgery and anesthesia in osteoporotic vertebral facture patients over 90 years old with the concept of "enhanced recovery after surgery."

METHODS

This study reviewed 239 patients who were diagnosed with OVF retrospectively between October 2015 and June 2019. According to the method of anesthesia, these patients were divided into Group A (n = 125) and Group B (n = 114). According to the pedicle puncture approach, these patients were divided into Group C (n = 102) and Group D (n = 137). The anterior vertebral height (AVH) and local kyphosis angle (LKA) were used to evaluate the degree of vertebral damage and restoration. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were used for assessing functional outcomes. Some parameters were used to assess the perioperative conditions such as operation time, amount of bone cement perfusion, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, anesthesia recovery time, time out of the bed, hospital stay, hospitalization cost, and complications.

RESULTS

The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), anterior vertebral height (AVH), and local kyphosis angle (LKA) 1 day, 1 year after surgery, and at the last follow-up all showed significant improvement (P < 0.05) in comparison with those before surgery both in Groups A and B and Groups C and D. The ODI 1 day after surgery was significantly better in Group B than Group A (P < 0.05). Compared with Group B, Group A required longer time of anesthesia, operation time, anesthesia recovery time, time to get out of bed, and length of hospital stay and more hospitalization costs (P < 0.05). Group D required longer operation time, longer time to get out of bed, more bone cement volume, fluoroscopy time, and more operation hospitalization costs compared with Group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We recommend unilateral puncture under local anesthesia for OVF in the patients aged over 90 from the perspective of rapid recovery.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol Accelerates Recovery of Lumbar Disc Herniation among Elderly Patients Undergoing Discectomy via Promoting Gastrointestinal Function

This study aimed to analyze the effect of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol on the recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients with lumbar disc herniation after discectomy. A total of 179 patients with lumbar disc herniation were randomly divided into the ERAS and non-ERAS groups. The non-ERAS group received routine nursing, and the ERAS group received ERAS strategy. The two groups were compared for general recovery indicators such as postoperative hemoglobin and prealbumin, satisfaction, and length of hospital stay. Gastrointestinal function was also evaluated, such as postoperative feeding time, intestinal chirping recovery time, intestinal exhaust gas recovery time, and complications such as ileus, nausea, and vomiting. The satisfaction of patients in the ERAS group (86.15 ± 2.43) was significantly higher than that in the non-ERAS group (77.19 ± 3.32), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The average time of eating in the ERAS group was 2.27 h after surgery. In addition, the amount of eating in the ERAS group was significantly better than that in the non-ERAS group, and the difference was statistically significant. In the ERAS group, intestinal chirping recovery time recovered to normal time, and exhaust recovery time and average defecation time were significantly shorter than those in the non-ERAS group. In the ERAS group, the average amount of hemoglobin and prealbumin decreased 3 days after operation, which was significantly lower than that in the non-ERAS group. To sum up, ERAS has an evident effect on the recovery of gastrointestinal function after discectomy of disc herniation, which can promote the recovery of patients.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for elderly rectal cancer patients in Japan: a nationwide study

Background

This study aimed to analyse the perioperative results from a national dataset of rectal cancer resections in elderly patients.

Methods

The clinical records of patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery between 2012 and 2014 were retrieved from the Japanese National Clinical Database and analysed retrospectively. Patients were categorized according to age and those 80 years or older were defined as elderly. Subgroups were also defined according to the surgical approach (laparoscopy versus open surgery). The short-term outcomes, including mortality, anastomotic leak, surgical site infections and medical complications were compared between subgroups.

Results

Of 56 175 patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery, some 6717 patients were elderly and laparoscopy was performed in 46.8 per cent of the sample. When comparing laparoscopy and open surgery in elderly patients, the operative mortality rate (1.5 versus 2.8 per cent; P < 0.001), the incidence of anastomotic leakage (5.2 versus 6.5 per cent; P = 0.026), surgical site infections (6.0 versus 8.0 per cent; P = 0.001), pneumonia (1.4 versus 2.5 per cent; P = 0.001), renal failure (0.7 versus 1.3 per cent; P = 0.016) and cardiac events (0.3 versus 0.8 per cent; P = 0.008) were lower for laparoscopy than for open surgery. The overall complication rate in elderly patients (19.5 per cent) was comparable to that in the younger group (P = 0.07). However, incidence of systemic complications was significantly higher in elderly than in younger patients (all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Laparoscopy was safe and feasible in elderly patients compared with open surgery. However, the rates of systemic complications were significantly higher than in younger patients.

A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis to Assess the Outcomes in Pre- and Post-Fast-Track Hip and Knee Elective Prosthesis Patients

Fast-track surgery is a multimodal evidence-based approach to perioperative care aimed at reducing complications and recovery time. We compared a fast-track protocol to standard care in the setting of a small Italian general hospital. Propensity score estimation before and after the study was performed to compare pre-fast-track (pre-FT; January 2013–March 2014) and fast-track (FT; January 2016–December 2016) patients undergoing elective hip and knee replacement surgery with a three-year follow-up (up to January 2020). The primary endpoints were the mean hemoglobin drop, mean predischarge hemoglobin, transfusion and reinfusion rates, pain, ambulation day, hospital length of stay (LOS), and discharge to home/outpatient care or rehabilitation hospital center. The secondary endpoints were the adherence measures to the FT protocol, namely, tourniquet and surgical times, use of drains and catheters, type of anesthesia administered, and complications within three years. The risk difference (RD) and the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) were calculated for each outcome. After the propensity score estimation, we analyzed 59 patients in the pre-FT and 122 in the FT categories. The FT patients, with respect to the pre-FT patients, ameliorated their mean hemoglobin drop from 3.7 to 3.1 g/dl (p < 0.01) and improved their predischarge mean hemoglobin (10.5 g/dL versus 11.0 g/dL; p = 0.01). Furthermore, the aOR of being transfused was reduced by 81% (p < 0,01); the RD of being reinfused was reduced by 63% (p < 0.01); the aOR of having low pain on the first day was increased by more than six times (p < 0.01); the RD of ambulating the first day increased by 91% (p < 0.01); the aOR of admission to a rehabilitation hospital center was reduced by 98% (p < 0.01); the aOR of home discharge increased by 42 times (p < 0.01); the median LOS, tourniquet and surgical times, and use of catheters and drains significantly decreased. Patients with complications at 1 month were 43.1% and 38.2%, respectively, of pre-FT and FT patients (p = 0.63). Complications at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were significantly lower for the FT patients. This study showed that the uptake of enhanced recovery practices was successful and resulted in the improvement of clinical and organizational outcomes. The fast-track concept and related programs may optimize perioperative care and streamline surgical and rehabilitation care paths.

Age and Perioperative Outcomes After Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Pathway in Women Undergoing Major Prolapse Repair Surgery

OBJECTIVE

As perioperative care pathways are developed to improve recovery, there is a need to explore the impact of age. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of a urogynecology-specific enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway on perioperative outcomes across 3 age categories: young, middle age, and elderly.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted assessing same-day discharge, opioid administration, pain scores, and complications differences across and within 3 age categories, young (<61 years), middle age (61-75 years), elderly (>75 years), before and after ERAS implementation.

RESULTS

Among 98 (25.7%) young, 202 (52.9%) middle-aged, and 82 (21.5%) elderly women, distribution before and after ERAS implementation was similar. In each age category, we found a commensurate increase in same-day discharge and decrease in length of stay independent of age. Age was associated with a variable response to opioid administration after ERAS. In women who received opioids, we found there was a greater reduction in opioids in elderly. Young women received 22.5 mg more than middle-aged women, whereas elderly women received 24.3 mg less than middle-aged women (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001) for a mean difference of 46.8 mg between the youngest and oldest group. We found no significant differences in postanesthesia care unit pain scores with ERAS implementation. Complications did not increase after ERAS implementation in any age group, although younger and elderly women were more likely to experience complications independent of ERAS.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly women had similar outcomes compared with their younger counterparts after implementation of an ERAS pathway. Further research is needed to assess whether our age-related observations are generalizable.

Elements not Graded in the Cardiac Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guidelines Might Improve Postoperative Outcome: A Comprehensive Narrative Review

Enhanced Recovery Programs (ERPs) are protocols involving the whole patient surgical journey. These protocols are based on multimodal, multidisciplinary, evidence-based, and patient-centered approaches aimed at improving patient recovery after a surgical intervention. Such programs have shown striking positive results in different surgical specialties. However, only a few research groups have incorporated preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative evidence-based interventions in bundles used to standardize care and build cardiac surgery ERPs. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society recently published evidence-based recommendations for perioperative care in cardiac surgery. Their recommendations included 22 perioperative interventions that may be part of any cardiac ERP. However, various components integrated in already-published cardiac ERPs were neither graded nor reported in these recommendations. The goals of the current review are to present published cardiac ERPs and their effects on patient outcomes and reported components incorporated into these ERPs and to discuss the objectives and scope of cardiac ERPs.

Changes in UK renal oncological surgical practice from 2008 to 2017: implications for cancer service provision and surgical training

OBJECTIVE

To determine and analyse the temporal changes in oncological nephrectomy practice and training opportunities using data obtained from the UK British Association of Urological Surgeons nephrectomy register from 2008 to 2017.

PATIENT AND METHODS

All nephrectomies within the dataset for this time period were analysed (n = 54 251). Cases were divided into radical nephrectomy (RN), partial nephrectomy (PN) and nephroureterectomy (NU). Simple nephrectomy, donor nephrectomy and benign PN were excluded. The annual frequencies for each oncological nephrectomy method, surgical approach, grade of surgeon, hospital caseload numbers and short-term surgical outcomes were determined.

RESULTS

Reported annual nephrectomy numbers increased by 2.5-fold in the 9-year time period. The number of hospitals performing nephrectomies decreased by 22%, however, more than 40% of centres performed more than 70 cases a year. There was a trend towards a decrease in overall length of hospital stay (9 vs 5 days; P < 0.01) and decreased transfusion rates. The proportion of minimally invasive procedures increased from 57% to 75%, with nephron-sparing rates increasing from 8.9% overall to 24.8%. With regard to surgical technique, robot-assisted surgery saw a mean annual increase of 222%. Overall, there was a 10% decrease in the proportion of PNs performed by trainee surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal surgery has changed considerably with regard to volume and also surgical approach, with rates of nephron-sparing surgery and minimally invasive surgery significantly increasing. Increasing hospital centralization and institutional experience, and a shift to robot-assisted surgery appear to have contributed to the observed improved patient outcomes. The increasing utilization of robot-assisted surgery has potential implications and challenges for the training of future urology surgeons.

Enhancing Family-Centered Care in Cardiothoracic Surgery

The psychological impact of critical illness is far reaching, affecting patients and their loved ones. Family members face a multitude of stressors, ranging from concerns about death or permanent disability to stress over health care costs and lost wages. Patients are at risk for developing post-intensive care syndrome. Professional groups and patient safety organizations have crafted family-centered care (FCC) models that support hospitalized patients and their families. There is a paucity of data on use of FCC in cardiothoracic intensive care units. This article discusses FCC models and why they are beneficial to the needs of families of postoperative cardiothoracic surgery patients.

Impact of Compliance with an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program on the Outcomes Among Elderly Patients Undergoing Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Background and Aim

The benefits of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program to elderly patients have not been evaluated in lumbar fusion surgery. Compliance with the ERAS program is associated with prognosis. There is currently no adequate assessment about the importance of the individual components of ERAS program in lumbar fusion surgery. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of compliance with our ERAS program and the relative importance of the individual ERAS program components among elderly patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery.

Methods

A retrospective case-review study was conducted from March 2018 to March 2020. The ERAS program for lumbar fusion surgery at our department was implemented. Overall compliance was found to be 92.9%, and this was used as a cutoff for dividing patients into higher compliance and lower compliance groups. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between groups.

Results

The overall compliance rate was 92.9%, distributing 91 patients into the higher compliance group and 169 patients into the lower compliance group. Patients with higher compliance were younger (p=0.045). The length of stay (LOS) of patients with higher compliance was significantly shorter than that of patients with lower compliance. Patients with higher compliance had significantly fewer complications (p=0.031). A multivariate analysis showed that surgical time (p=0.029), lower compliance (p=0.034), and early oral feeding (p=0.026) were predictors of any postoperative complications. On multivariate analysis, the following items remained correlated with prolonged LOS (LOS≥12 days): older age (p=0.010), lower compliance (p<0.0001), early ambulation (p=0.018), and stick to discharge criteria (p=0.040).

Conclusion

Low compliance with ERAS program among elderly patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery was associated with a higher incidence of complications and prolonged LOS. The failure of early oral feeding was associated with increased complications, and the failure of early ambulation or sticking to discharge criteria was significantly more influential on prolonged LOS.

Frailty impact on postoperative complications and early mortality rates in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: a systematic review

Objective: To assess the prevalence of frailty, a status of vulnerability to stressors leading to adverse health events, in bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC), and test the impact of frailty measurements on postoperative adverse outcomes.

Methods: A systematic review of English-language articles published up to April 2020 was performed. Electronic databases were searched to quantify the frailty prevalence in RC patients and assess the predictive ability of frailty indexes on RC-related outcomes as postoperative complications, early mortality, hospitalization length (LOS), costs, discharge dispositions, readmission rate.

Results: Eleven studies were selected. Patients’ frailty was identified by Johns Hopkins indicator (JHI) in two studies, 11-item modified Frailty Index (mFI) in four, 5-item simplified FI (sFI) in three, 15-point mFI in one, Fried Frailty Criteria in one. Considering all the frailty measurements applied, 8% and 31% of patients were frail or pre-frail, respectively. Frail (43%) and pre-frail patients (35%) were more at risk of major complications compared to non-frail (27%) using sFI; with JHI the percentages of frail and non-frail were 53% versus 19%. According to JHI and mFI frailty was related to longer LOS and higher costs. JHI identified that 3% of frail patients experience in-hospital mortality versus 1.5% of non-frail. Finally, using sFI, frail (28%), and pre-frail (19%) were more likely to be discharged non-home compared to non-frail patients (8%) and had a higher risk of 30-day mortality (4% and 2% versus 1%).

Conclusions: Almost half of RC patients were frail or pre-frail, conditions significantly related to an increased risk of postoperative adverse events with higher rates of major complications and early mortality. The most-used frailty index was mFI, while JHI and sFI resulted the most reliable to predict early postoperative RC-related adverse outcomes and should be routinely included in clinical practice after better standardization throughout prospective comparative studies.

Abbreviations: ACG: Adjusted Clinical Groups; ACS: American College Surgeons; AUC: area under the curve; BCa: bladder cancer; CCI: Charlson Comorbidity Index; CSHA-FI: Canadian Study of Health and Aging Frailty Index; CCS: Clavien-Dindo Classification Score; ERAS: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery; FFC: Fried Frailty Criteria; (e)(m)(s)FI: (extended) (modified) (simplified) Frailty Index; ICU: intensive care unit; IQR: interquartile range; (p)LOS: (prolonged) length of hospital stay; NSQIP: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program; OR: odds ratio; (O)PN: (open) partial nephrectomy; PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses; (O)(RA)RC: (open)(robot-assisted) radical cystectomy; (O)RN: (open) radical nephrectomy; ROC: receiver operating characteristic; RNU: radical nephroureterectomy; (R)RP: (retropubic) radical prostatectomy; RR: relative risk; THCs: total hospital charges; nephrectomy; UD: urinary diversion

Recommendations from the Italian intersociety consensus on Perioperative Anesthesa Care in Thoracic surgery (PACTS) part 2: intraoperative and postoperative care

Introduction

Anesthetic care in patients undergoing thoracic surgery presents specific challenges that require a multidisciplinary approach to management. There remains a need for standardized, evidence-based, continuously updated guidelines for perioperative care in these patients.

Methods

A multidisciplinary expert group, the Perioperative Anesthesia in Thoracic Surgery (PACTS) group, was established to develop recommendations for anesthesia practice in patients undergoing elective lung resection for lung cancer. The project addressed three key areas: preoperative patient assessment and preparation, intraoperative management (surgical and anesthesiologic care), and postoperative care and discharge. A series of clinical questions was developed, and literature searches were performed to inform discussions around these areas, leading to the development of 69 recommendations. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were graded using the United States Preventive Services Task Force criteria.

Results

Recommendations for intraoperative care focus on airway management, and monitoring of vital signs, hemodynamics, blood gases, neuromuscular blockade, and depth of anesthesia. Recommendations for postoperative care focus on the provision of multimodal analgesia, intensive care unit (ICU) care, and specific measures such as chest drainage, mobilization, noninvasive ventilation, and atrial fibrillation prophylaxis.

Conclusions

These recommendations should help clinicians to improve intraoperative and postoperative management, and thereby achieve better postoperative outcomes in thoracic surgery patients. Further refinement of the recommendations can be anticipated as the literature continues to evolve.

Perioperative Management of Elderly patients (PriME): recommendations from an Italian intersociety consensus

BACKGROUND

Surgical outcomes in geriatric patients may be complicated by factors such as multiple comorbidities, low functional performance, frailty, reduced homeostatic capacity, and cognitive impairment. An integrated multidisciplinary approach to management is, therefore, essential in this population, but at present, the use of such an approach is uncommon. The Perioperative Management of Elderly patients (PriME) project has been established to address this issue.

AIMS

To develop evidence-based recommendations for the integrated care of geriatric surgical patients.

METHODS

A 14-member Expert Task Force of surgeons, anesthetists, and geriatricians was established to develop evidence-based recommendations for the pre-, intra-, and postoperative care of hospitalized older patients (≥ 65 years) undergoing elective surgery. A modified Delphi approach was used to achieve consensus, and the strength of recommendations and quality of evidence was rated using the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 81 recommendations were proposed, covering preoperative evaluation and care (30 items), intraoperative management (19 items), and postoperative care and discharge (32 items).

CONCLUSIONS

These recommendations should facilitate the multidisciplinary management of older surgical patients, integrating the expertise of the surgeon, the anesthetist, the geriatrician, and other specialists and health care professionals (where available) as needed. These roles may vary according to the phase and setting of care and the patient's conditions.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program for elderly patients with short-level lumbar fusion

Background

Degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine decrease the mobility and quality of life of elderly patients. Lumbar fusion surgery is the primary method of treating degenerative lumbar spine disorders; however, the surgical stress response associated with major surgery has been linked to pathophysiological changes in the elderly, resulting in undesirable postoperative morbidity, complications, pain, fatigue, and extended convalescence. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether enhanced recovery after surgery significantly improved satisfaction and outcomes in elderly patients (> 65 years old) with short-level lumbar fusion.

Methods

The study enrolled lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis patients if they were over the age of 65 years old underwent lumbar fusion at one or two levels. Data including demographic, comorbidity, and surgical information were collected from electronic medical records. Enhanced recovery after surgery interventions was categorized as preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative. We also evaluated primary outcome, surgical complication, length of stay, postoperative pain scores, and 30-day readmission rates.

Results

A total of 192 patients were included, 96 in the enhanced recovery after surgery group and 96 case-matched patients in the non- enhanced recovery after surgery group. There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in regards to demographics, comorbidities, American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade, or the number of fusion levels. There were also no differences between mean surgery time of intraoperative blood loss between the enhanced recovery after surgery and non- enhanced recovery after surgery groups. In addition, the mean preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, visual analog score for the back and legs, and Oswestry Disability Index score were not significantly different between the two groups. Overall, enhanced recovery after surgery pathway compliance was 92.1%. There were no significant differences in the number of complications or the mortality rates between the enhanced recovery after surgery and non-enhanced recovery after surgery groups. Furthermore, the mean postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, Visual analog score for the back and legs, Oswestry Disability Index score, and readmission rates score revealed no significant differences between the groups at 30-day follow-up point. However, we observed a statistically significant decrease in length of stay in the enhanced recovery after surgery group (12.30 ± 3.03 of enhanced recovery after surgery group versus 15.50 ± 1.88 in non- enhanced recovery after surgery group, p = 0). Multivariable linear regression showed that comorbidities (p = 0.023) and implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery program (p = 0.002) were correlated with prolonged length of stay. Multivariable logistic regression showed that no characteristics were associated with complications.

Conclusions

This report describes the first enhanced recovery after surgery protocol used in elderly patients after short-level lumbar fusion surgery. Our enhanced recovery after surgery program is safe and could help decrease length of stay in elderly patients with short-level lumbar fusion.

Preoperative nutrition-enhanced recovery after surgery protocol for thoracic neoplasms

OBJECTIVES

Because patients' preoperative nutritional status influences the outcomes, we have used a preoperative nutrition program for surgical patients for a 2-year period and compared the results with those from a cohort treated in the previous 2 years.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed curative thoracic neoplasm resections from July 15, 2016, to July 15, 2018, in patients who had received a preoperative nutritional-enhanced recovery after surgery (N-ERAS) protocol. The protocol consisted of 5 days of an oral immunonutrition drink 3 times daily, daily receipt of probiotics, and a carbohydrate-loading drink the night before surgery. The historical control cohort (standard group) included those patients who had undergone surgery by the same surgeon during the previous 24 months. We excluded patients who had undergone esophageal, diagnostic, benign, emergency, or palliative procedures. Nonparametric and parametric statistical tests were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The data from 462 patients were analyzed: 229 N-ERAS patients and 233 standard patients. No significant demographic or caseload differences were found between the 2 groups. The major significant outcome differences included fewer postoperative complications (30 [13.1%] in the N-ERAS group vs 60 [25.8%] in the standard group; P < .001) and shorter hospital stays (3.8 ± 1.9 days for the N-ERAS group vs 4.4 ± 2.6 days for the standard group; P = .001). Use of the N-ERAS protocol resulted in a 16% reduction ($2198; P < .001) in the mean direct hospital costs/patient. Consequently, for the N-ERAS cohort, the hospital was likely saved $503,342 during the 2-year period for the 229 patients just by using the N-ERAS protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracic surgeons should consider using the nontoxic, patient-compliant N-ERAS protocol for their patients, with an expectation of improved clinical results at lower hospital costs-an important consideration when exploring methods to decrease costs because hospitals are increasingly being paid by a negotiated prospective bundled payment reimbursement model.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway for microendoscopy-assisted minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

OBJECTIVES

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) principle and minimally invasive surgery allow patients to recover faster and better postoperatively. Due to a paucity of their integration, this retrospective study aims to assess clinical outcomes of ERAS pathway in microendoscopy-assisted minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 72 consecutive cases were enrolled. According to their inclusion order, the former 21 cases received microendoscopy-assisted MIS-TLIF without any ERAS approach (control group), while the latter 51 participants underwent the same surgery with ERAS protocol (observation group). Perioperative parameters, including operative duration, intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay, postoperative analgesic usage and ambulatory time, were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS, back and leg), Barthel index were obtained before and at three days, one month, six months postoperatively. Modified MacNab criteria and Bridwell grading were used to assess surgical outcome and interbody fusion at one week and two years after surgery, respectively.

RESULTS

Observation group had statistically improved perioperative parameters (operative duration, intraoperative EBL, length of stay, postoperative analgesic usage and ambulatory time) in comparison with control group. Remarkable decreases in VAS (back and leg) were observed continuously at three days, one month and six months post-surgery in both groups when compared with scores prior to the surgery. More significant improvement of VAS (back and leg) was found in observation group at both three days and one month postoperatively. Regarding Barthel index, despite its transient decrease at three days after surgery in control group, it showed statistical increase at postoperative one month when compared with preoperative values in both groups; moreover, its inter-groups comparison revealed much more improvement in patients receiving ERAS recommendations; while at final follow-up, it continued further increase in either group. Marginally higher proportion of patients in observation group showed perfect or good clinical outcome, as well as solid interbody fusion.

CONCLUSIONS

ERAS pathway in microendoscopy-assisted MIS-TLIF has advantages of decreased operative time, reduced intraoperative haemorrhage, increased initial back pain relief, decreased length of stay, lowered analgesic usage and earlier daily activity recovery and thus, benefit postoperative rehabilitation further.

A retrospective observational study of enhanced recovery after surgery in older patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery programs (ERPs) in colorectal surgery have demonstrated beneficial effects on postoperative complications, return of bowel function, length of stay, and costs, without increasing readmissions or mortality. However, ERPs were not specifically designed for older patients and feasibility in older patients has been questioned.

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess ERP adherence and outcomes in older patients and to identify risk factors for postoperative complications and prolonged length of stay.

METHOD

Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients (≥70 years) undergoing elective colorectal resection in a tertiary referral hospital in 2017.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients were included. Adherence rates were above 80% in 18 of 21 ERP interventions considered. The lowest adherence rates were noted for preoperative carbohydrate loading and cessation of intravenous fluids. Postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥2) and prolonged postoperative length of stay (>75th percentile) were observed in 39.6% and 26.3%, respectively. Median length of stay was 7 days. The 30-day mortality, readmission and reoperation rates were 2.1%, 12.6% and 8.3%, respectively. Multivariable analysis indicated that polypharmacy and site of surgery were independent risk factors for postoperative complications, while higher age, American Society of Anesthesiologists class and preoperative radiotherapy were independent risk factors for prolonged postoperative length of stay.

CONCLUSION

ERP adherence in older patients undergoing colorectal resection is high and ERP is therefore considered feasible. Postoperative complications and prolonged postoperative length of stay are common, so at risk patients should be targeted with tailored geriatric interventions.

Preoperative frailty assessment combined with prehabilitation and nutrition strategies: Emerging concepts and clinical outcomes

Important elements of the preoperative assessment that should be addressed for the older adult population include frailty, comorbidities, nutritional status, cognition, and medications. Frailty has emerged as a plausible predictor of adverse outcomes after surgery. It is present in older patients and is characterized by multisystem physiologic decline, increased vulnerability to stressors, and adverse clinical outcomes. Preoperative preparation may include a prehabilitation program, which aims to address nutritional insufficiencies, modify chronic polypharmacy, and enhance physical and respiratory conditions prior to hospital admission. Special considerations are taken for particularly high-risk patients, where the approach to prehabilitation can address specific, individual risk factors. Identifying patients who are nutritionally deficient allows practitioners to intervene preoperatively to optimize their nutritional status, and different strategies are available, such as immunonutrition. Previous studies have shown an association between increased frailty and the risk of postoperative complications, morbidity, hospital length of stay, and 30-day and long-term mortality following general surgical procedures. Evidence from numerous studies suggests a potential benefit of including a standard assessment of frailty as part of the preoperative workup of older adult patients. Studies addressing validated frailty assessments and the quantification of their predictive capabilities in various surgeries are warranted.

A nurse-driven enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) nursing program for geriatric patients following lung surgery

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multiprofessional, multidisciplinary and evidence-based program that aims to reduce complications, improve overall prognosis, shorten hospital stays, and promote fast recovery following major surgery. Nurses play a crucial role in the successful implementation of the ERAS program. Therefore, this research focuses on the trajectory optimized and acquired by nurses in the enhanced recovery of elderly patients undergoing radical surgery for lung cancer. This study concludes that the implementation of the proposed ERAS preoperative point-of-care trajectory is highly beneficial for improved outcomes and enhanced recovery of geriatric patients following lung surgery.

Outcomes of sleeve gastrectomy in patients older than 60 years: a multicenter matched case-control study

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of obesity is increasing according to the World Health Organization. Furthermore, global aging is increasing, especially in developed countries in Europe. Whether bariatric surgery should be performed in elderly people is still controversial.

AIM

To determine the clinical outcomes of sleeve gastrectomies (SG) in older central European patients. We compared the safety and efficacy of SG in patients older than 60 years with younger patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighty-nine patients older than 60 years, who underwent SG, were included in the study. Eighty-nine younger patients (aged 18-40 years) were matched according to body mass index (BMI) and comorbidities. The analyzed data included age, sex, total body weight, BMI, length of hospital stay, 30-day complications and improvement in comorbidities.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the complication rate between the 2 age groups (p = 0.59). An improvement in hypertension was observed in 73.1% of older patients and in 69.2% of younger patients (p = 0.67). There was improvement in diabetes mellitus in 40% of older patients and in 31.1% of younger patients (p = 0.25). The ΔBMI after 12, 24 and 36 months was significantly lower in older patients than in younger patients (p = 0.002, p = 0.001; p = 0.043, respectively). Percent excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) after 12, 24, and 60 months was significantly lower in older than in younger patients (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.028, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Better weight loss is achieved in younger than in older patients, while maintaining a similar effect on the risk of complications and improvement in comorbidities. Therefore, SG is safe and effective in older people.

Enhanced recovery after surgery and practical application to liver transplantation

There is a growing support for the use of protocols that incorporate multiple steps aimed at reducing the time patients require to regain health. A recurring limitation is the variable outcomes of these protocols with more or less success at the sites at which they are instituted. This review examines the essential building blocks needed to launch a successful ERAS protocol. It addresses why there are differences in outcome measures between centers such as the length of stay and the cost of care even if the protocols and patient populations are similar.

Functional recovery in senior adults undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer: Assessment tools and strategies to preserve functional status

Colorectal cancer is a widely-recognized aging-associated disease. Recent advances in the care of senior colorectal cancer patients has led to similar cancer-related life expectancy for older patients when compared to their younger counterparts. Recent data suggests that onco-geriatric patients place as much value on maintenance of functional independence and quality of life after treatment as they do on the potential improvements in survival that a treatment might offer. As a result, there has been significant interest in the geriatric literature surrounding the concept of "functional recovery," a multidimensional outcome metric that takes into account several domains, including physical, physiologic, psychological, social, and economic wellbeing. This review introduces the concept of functional recovery and highlights a number of predictors of post-treatment functional trajectory, including several office-based tools that clinicians can use to help guide informed decision making surrounding potential treatment options. This review also highlights a number of validated metrics that can be used to assess a patient's progress in functional recovery after surgery. While the timeline of each individual's functional recovery may vary, most data suggests that if patients are to return to their pre-operative functional status, this could occur up to 6 months post-surgery. For those patients identified to be at risk for post-operative functional decline this review also delineates strategies for prehabilitation and rehabilitation that may improve functional outcomes.

Regional anaesthesia for surgical repair of proximal humerus fractures: a systematic review and critical appraisal

INTRODUCTION

Regional anaesthesia (RA) is often used in shoulder surgery because it provides adequate postoperative analgesia and may enhance the patient outcome. RA reduces overall opioid consumption and is frequently used in enhanced recovery programs to decrease hospital stay. However, there is very limited literature confirming these advantages in the surgical repair of proximal humerus fractures. This paper reviews the current literature on the use of RA in pain management after surgical repair of these fractures and evaluates the effect of RA on the functional outcome, length of stay in hospital, and health care expenditure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to March 1, 2018. Studies investigating the use of RA in the management of proximal humerus fractures were included.

RESULTS

Eleven studies (containing 1872 patients) were eligible for inclusion. The analgesic effect of RA was investigated in eight studies that confirmed its pain-relieving ability. Two studies measured functionality and length of hospitalization and suggested that RA improved function and shortened the stay in hospital. Nine papers mentioned side effects associated with RA while three articles claim that RA decreases the incidence of adverse events associated with general anaesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review suggests that RA is a good option for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing surgical repair of a proximal humerus fracture and is associated with fewer adverse events, a shorter recovery time, and a better functional outcome than those achieved by general anaesthesia alone. However, given the limited amount of data available, conclusions need to be made with caution and prospective studies are needed in the future.

Modern perioperative medicine - past, present, and future

Modern perioperative medicine has dramatically altered the care for patients undergoing major surgery. Anaesthetic and surgical practice has been directed at mitigating the surgical stress response and reducing physiological insult. The development of standardised enhanced recovery programmes combined with minimally invasive surgical techniques has lead to reduction in length of stay, morbidity, costs, and improved outcomes. The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) society and its national chapters provide a means for sharing best practice in this field and developing evidence based guidelines. Research has highlighted persisting challenges with compliance as well as ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of ERAS. There is also a growing need for increasingly personalised care programmes as well as complex geriatric assessment of frailer patients. Continuous collection of outcome and process data combined with machine learning, offers a potentially powerful solution to delivering bespoke care pathways and optimising individual management. Long-term data from ERAS programmes remain scarce and further evaluation of functional recovery and quality of life is required.

EVALUATION OF PAIN SYNDROME AND EFFICIENCY OF PAIN MANAGEMENT IN LUMBAR SPINE SURGERY

Multimodal analgesia for lumbar spine surgery is still a controversial problem, because of possible fusion problems, significant neuropathic component of pain, and influence of anesthesia type. Aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of pain management after lumbar spine surgery considering characteristics of pain, type of anesthesia and analgesic regimen. Material and methods. 254 ASA I-II patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease were enrolled into prospective study. Patients were operated either under spinal anesthesia (SA) or total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). In postoperative period patients got either standard pain management (SPM – paracetamol±morphine) or multimodal analgesia (MMA – paracetamol+parecoxib+pregabalin±morphine). Results. We revealed neuropathic pain in 53.9 % of patients, who were elected for lumbar spine surgery. VAS pain score in patients with neuropathic pain was higher, than in patients with nociceptive pain. Total intravenous anesthesia was associated with greater opioid consumption during the first postoperative day. Multimodal analgesia based on paracetamol, parecoxib and pregabalin allowed to decrease requirements for opioids, postoperative nausea and dizziness. Pregabalin used for evening premedication had equipotential anxiolytic effect as phenazepam without postoperative cognitive disturbances. Conclusions. Multimodal analgesia is opioid-sparing technique that allows to decrease complications. Spinal anesthesia is associated to a decreased opioid consumption in the 1st postoperative day.