The Canadian Gynaecologic Oncology Perioperative Management Survey: Baseline Practice Prior to Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society Guidelines

Impact of ERAS in breast reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi flap, compared to conventional management

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs are associated with improved management, reduced hospital stays, and lower complication rates.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of ERAS on mean length of stay (LOS) and postoperative morbidity in breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap (LDF) compared with conventional recovery program.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

All patients operated by LDF between December 2014 and October 2020: those managed before April 2018, when the ERAS protocol was introduced, were included in the "no ERAS" group, and beyond in the "ERAS" group.

RESULTS

Out of 193 patients, 129 were included in the "ERAS" group and 64 in the "no ERAS" group. There was a significant difference between the two groups in LOS (4.2 ± 1.5 days in the "ERAS" group vs. 5.4 ± 1.9 days in the "no ERAS" group; p < 0.001), high-grade complications at 30 days (9.3% in the "ERAS" group vs. 25% in the "no ERAS" group; p = 0.01), reintervention rate (13.9% vs. 26.6%, respectively; p = 0.02), and 30-day rehospitalization rate (6.2% in the "ERAS" group vs. 15.6% in the "no ERAS" group; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

The ERAS protocol has a positive impact on breast reconstruction with LDF without generating additional adverse effects. These results support the democratization of these programs for breast reconstruction surgery.

The Effect of Intrathecal Morphine on Postoperative Opioid Consumption in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery for Gynecologic Malignancy: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Surgery for gynecologic malignancy via midline-laparotomy leads to severe postoperative pain. Adequate pain control while sparing opioid consumption does offer benefits in postoperative complications and recovery. Intrathecal morphine (ITM) provides simple and effective analgesia. In this randomized trial, we compared postoperative opioid consumption in patients who received either ITM or a sham procedure.

METHODS

We enrolled 68 adult patients undergoing open gynecologic oncology surgery from June 2021 to November 2021. They were randomly allocated to the ITM group (ITM; 200 μg injection) or sham group (sham procedure) to achieve a final 1:1 ratio between groups. We compared opioid consumption and pain severity during 72 hours after surgery. The variables regarding postoperative recovery and patient-centered outcomes were collected. The primary outcome is cumulative intravenous (IV) opioid consumption 24 hours after surgery.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range) cumulative IV opioid consumption during 24 hours after surgery was 18 mg (12-29) in the ITM group and 36 mg (27-42) in the sham group (median difference, 13; 95% confidence interval, 7.2-20.7; P < .001). Patient satisfaction regarding pain control was statistically significantly higher in the ITM group than in the sham group at postoperative 24 and 48 hours ( P < .001 and P = .005, respectively). There were no significant differences in the variables associated with postoperative recovery and frequency of complications requiring treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

ITM is a safe and effective analgesic method after curative intent laparotomy for gynecologic malignancy. ITM provides better pain relief, reduces opioid consumption, and improves patient satisfaction without additional evident adverse events.

European Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) gynecologic oncology survey: Status of ERAS protocol implementation across Europe

OBJECTIVE

To acquire a comprehensive assessment of the current status of implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols across Europe.

METHODS

The survey was launched by The European Network of Young Gynecologic Oncologists (ENYGO). A 45-item survey was disseminated online through the European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO) Network database.

RESULTS

A total of 116 ESGO centers participated in the survey between December 2020 and June 2021. Overall, 80 (70%) centers reported that ERAS was implemented at their institution: 63% reported a length of stay (LOS) for advanced ovarian cancer surgery between 5 and 7 days; 57 (81%) centers reported a LOS between 2 and 4 days in patients who underwent an early-stage gynecologic cancer surgery. The ERAS items with high reported compliance (>75% "normally-always") included deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis (89%), antibiotic prophylaxis (79%), prevention of hypothermia (55%), and early mobilization (55%). The ERAS items that were poorly adhered to (less than 50%) included early removal of urinary catheter (33%), and avoidance of drains (25%).

CONCLUSION

This survey shows broad implementation of ERAS protocols across Europe; however, a wide variation in adherence to the various ERAS protocol items was reported.

The Canadian Gynecologic Oncology Peri-operative Management Survey: re-examining Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) recommendations

OBJECTIVE

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a global surgery quality improvement program associated with improved clinical outcomes across the spectrum of disciplines, including gynecologic oncology. The objective of this study was to re-survey the practice of ERAS Gynecologic Oncology guidelines across Canada, after the initial guidelines publication (2016), subsequent guidelines update (2019), and Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada (GOC) education events.

METHODS

A survey was created and developed through the GOC Communities of Practice ERAS section and distributed to all members between March and November 2021. The results of this survey were compared with the survey performed in 2015 RESULTS: The initial GOC survey in 2015 included 77/92 active gynecologic oncologists (84%) representing all provinces in Canada. The current updated survey had responses from 59/118 active gynecologic oncologists (51%) also from every province. Compared with the original survey there was a statistically significant improvement in uptake of 10 ERAS recommendations: smoking/alcohol cessation, modern fasting guidelines (allowance of clear fluids and solid food pre-operatively), carbohydrate loading, pre-operative warming, early feeding, post-operative laxative use, avoidance of nasogastric tubes and abdominal drains, foley catheter removal at 6 hours, and active mobilization (all p<0.003). Only two fields (stopping oral contraceptive medications pre-operatively and foley catheter removal post-operative day 1) showed worsening uptake across the two surveys (p<0.01). The ERAS recommendations that did not change in the examined time frame included routine use of mechanical bowel preparation, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, pre-operative antibiotics, and additional antibiotic dosing for prolonged surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey demonstrates increased uptake of 10 of the ERAS guideline recommendations among Canadian gynecologic oncology providers. These findings may translate to improvements in clinical outcomes and healthcare system-level benefits including increased hospital capacity and cost savings.

Evaluation of perioperative management of advanced ovarian (tubal/peritoneal) cancer patients: a survey from MITO-MaNGO Groups

OBJECTIVE

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO)-quality indicators (QIs) for advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) have been assessed only by few Italian centers, and data are not available on the proportion of centers reaching the score considered for a satisfactory surgical management. There is great consensus that the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach is beneficial, but there is paucity of data concerning its application in AOC. This survey was aimed at gathering detailed information on perioperative management of AOC patients within MITO-MaNGO Groups.

METHODS

A 66-item questionnaire, covering ESGO-QIs for AOC and ERAS items, was sent to MITO/MaNGO centers reporting to operate >20 AOC/year.

RESULTS

Thirty/34 questionnaires were analyzed. The median ESGO-QIs score was 31.5, with 50% of centers resulting with a score ≥32 which provides satisfactory surgical management. The rates of concordance with ERAS guidelines were 46.6%, 74.1%, and 60.7%, respectively, for pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative items. The proportion of overall agreement was 61.3%, and with strong recommendations was 63.1%. Pre-operative diet, fasting/bowel preparation, correction of anaemia, post-operative feeding and early mobilization were the most controversial. A significant positive correlation was found between ESGO-QIs score and adherence to ERAS recommendations.

CONCLUSION

This survey reveals a satisfactory surgical management in only half of the centers, and an at least sufficient adherence to ERAS recommendations. Higher the ESGO-QIs score stronger the adherence to ERAS recommendations, underlining the correlations between case volume, appropriate peri-operative management and quality of surgery. The present study is a first step to build a structured platform for harmonization within MITO-MaNGO networks.

To what extent is enhanced recovery in surgery used in French obstetrics and gynecology departments?: use of enhanced recovery in gynecologic and obstetric surgery in France

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the implementation of Enhanced Recovery in Surgery (ERS) in French obstetrics and gynecology departments. To achieve this objective, we drafted an online questionnaire about ERS protocols for caesarean sections and hysterectomies with a benign indication and put a hyperlink on the 'French National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians' (Collège National des Gynécologues et Obstétriciens Français) website. We obtained 112 analyzable responses. Respectively 66% and 34% of the surveyed departments had established ERS protocols for cesarean sections and for hysterectomies with a benign indication. However, not all of the key ERS items were sufficiently implemented: despite the establishment of written protocols, the degree of compliance with the guidelines issued by the French-Speaking Group for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Groupement Francophone de Réhabilitation Améliorée Après Chirurgie) was variable. There are few published data on the implementation of ERS in obstetrics and gynecology departments worldwide. In 2010, the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery® Society issued guidelines and a checklist for an ERS protocol. The literature data suggest that for most surgical disciplines, the main ERS criteria are not well known or not widely applied. ERS protocols are still not widespread in French gynecologic surgery departments. Moreover, the application of some of the major ERS items differs markedly from one ERS program to other, which is likely to reduce the level of effectiveness. It therefore appears to be essential to formalize and promote ERS protocols in gynecological surgery.

Updates in Enhanced Recovery Pathways for Gynecologic Surgery

Gynecologic surgery encompasses over a quarter of inpatient surgical procedures for US women, and current projections estimate an increase of the US female population by nearly 50% in 2050. Over the last decade, US hospitals have embraced enhanced recovery pathways in many specialties. They have increasingly been used in multiple institutions worldwide, becoming the standard of care for patient optimization. According to the last updated enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) guideline published in 2019, there are several new considerations behind each practice in ERAS protocols. This article discusses the most updated evidence regarding ERAS programs for gynecologic surgery.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in gynecologic oncology: an international survey of peri-operative practice

INTRODUCTION

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have been shown to improve clinical outcomes in gynecologic oncology, with the majority of published reports originating from a small number of specialized centers. It is unclear to what degree ERAS is implemented in hospitals globally. This international survey investigated the status of ERAS protocol implementation in open gynecologic oncology surgery to provide a worldwide perspective on peri-operative practice patterns.

METHODS

Requests to participate in an online survey of ERAS practices were distributed via social media (WhatsApp, Twitter, and Social Link). The survey was active between January 15 and March 15, 2020. Additionally, four national gynecologic oncology societies agreed to distribute the study among their members. Respondents were requested to answer a 17-item questionnaire about their ERAS practice preferences in the pre-, intra-, and post-operative periods.

RESULTS

Data from 454 respondents representing 62 countries were analyzed. Overall, 37% reported that ERAS was implemented at their institution. The regional distribution was: Europe 38%, Americas 33%, Asia 19%, and Africa 10%. ERAS gynecologic oncology guidelines were well adhered to (>80%) in the domains of deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, early removal of urinary catheter after surgery, and early introduction of ambulation. Areas with poor adherence to the guidelines included the use of bowel preparation, adoption of modern fasting guidelines, carbohydrate loading, use of nasogastric tubes and peritoneal drains, intra-operative temperature monitoring, and early feeding.

CONCLUSION

This international survey of ERAS in open gynecologic oncology surgery shows that, while some practices are consistent with guideline recommendations, many practices contradict the established evidence. Efforts are required to decrease the variation in peri-operative care that exists in order to improve clinical outcomes for patients with gynecologic cancer globally.

Clinical pathways of recovery after surgery for advanced ovarian/tubal/peritoneal cancer: an NSGO-MaNGO international survey in collaboration with AGO-a focus on surgical aspects

OBJECTIVES

This survey assessed the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for patients undergoing surgery for advanced ovarian cancer in three European cooperative study groups in Scandinavia, Italy, and Austria. The aim was to evaluate the landscape for future trials on ERAS pathways in ovarian cancer, because high-level evidence for such interventions is lacking.

METHODS

In July 2017, a web-based questionnaire (SurveyMonkey Inc, Palo Alto, CA, USA) was sent to centers conducting surgery for advanced ovarian cancer within the Nordic Society of Gynecologic Oncology (NSGO), Mario Negri Gynecologic Oncology Group (MaNGO) and other Italian institutions, and the Association for Gynecologic Oncology Austria (AGO Austria) (n = 100). The survey covered all aspects of an ERAS pathway including surgery, nursing, and anesthesia. We herein report on the survey findings relating to surgery, including nursing care issues; however, anesthesiologic issues will be discussed in a separate report.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 62%. Only a third of the centers in Italy and Austria follow a written ERAS protocol compared with 60% of the Scandinavian centers. Only a minority of centers have completely abandoned bowel preparation, with the highest proportion in Scandinavia (36%). Two hours of fasting for fluids before surgery is routinely practiced in Scandinavia and Austria (67-57%, respectively), but not in Italy (5%). Carbohydrate loading is routinely administered only in Scandinavia (67%). Peritoneal drainage is used by 22% routinely and by 61% in cases of bowel resection/lymphadenectomy/peritonectomy. Early feeding with a light diet on day 0 or 1 is the standard of care in Scandinavia and Austria, but not in Italy.

CONCLUSIONS

The degree of implementation of ERAS protocols varies across and within cooperative groups. The centralization of ovarian cancer care seems to facilitate standardization of peri-operative protocols. Currently, the high heterogeneity in patterns of care may challenge an international approach to a clinical trial.

Joint consensus on anesthesia in urologic and gynecologic robotic surgery: specific issues in management from a task force of the SIAARTI, SIGO, and SIU

INTRODUCTION

Proper management of patients undergoing robotic-assisted urologic and gynecologic surgery must consider a series of peculiarities in the procedures for anesthesiology, critical care medicine, respiratory care, and pain management. Although the indications for robotic-assisted urogynecologic surgeries have increased in recent years, specific guidance documents are still lacking.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A multidisciplinary group including anesthesiologists, gynecologists, urologists, and a clinical epidemiologist systematically reviewed the relevant literature and provided a set of recommendations and unmet needs on peculiar aspects of anesthesia in this field.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Nine core contents were identified, according to their requirements in urogynecologic robotic-assisted surgery: patient position, pneumoperitoneum and ventilation strategies, hemodynamic variations and fluid therapy, neuromuscular block, renal surgery and prevention of acute kidney injury, monitoring the Department of anesthesia, postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction, prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and pain management in endometriosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This consensus document provides guidance for the management of urologic and gynecologic patients scheduled for robotic-assisted surgery. Moreover, the identified unmet needs highlight the requirement for further prospective randomized studies.

Efeitos da abreviação do jejum pré-operatório com solução de carboidrato e proteína em sintomas pós-operatórios de cirurgias ginecológicas: ensaio clínico randomizado controlado duplo-cego

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar os efeitos da abreviação do jejum pré-operatório, uma recomendação do protocolo de “Aceleração da Recuperação Total Pós-operatória” (ACERTO), em sintomas pós-operatórios de pacientes submetidas à cirurgias ginecológicas. Métodos: estudo controlado, randomizado, duplo-cego, de 80 cirurgias ginecológicas realizadas no período de janeiro a junho de 2016. As pacientes foram aleatoriamente alocadas em dois grupos: Grupo Controle, com 42 pacientes, e Grupo Suco, com 38, e que receberam, respectivamente, 200ml de solução inerte ou 200ml de líquido enriquecido com carboidrato e proteína quatro horas antes da cirurgia. Os sintomas pós-operatórios estudados foram sede, fome, dor, agitação, satisfação e bem-estar, em ambos os grupos. Para medir a intensidade dos sintomas foi utilizada a Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), associada à Escala Facial (EF) para dor, aplicadas dez horas após a cirurgia. Resultados: as pacientes do Grupo Suco apresentaram menos dor (3,51x1,59), sede (3,63x0,85), fome (3,86x2,09) e agitação (2,54x0,82) em relação ao Grupo Controle (P<0,05). As variáveis satisfação (6,89x8,68) e bem-estar (5,51x7,12) foram maiores (P<0,05) quando houve a ingestão do líquido contendo carboidrato e proteína (Grupo Suco) em relação à solução inerte (Grupo Controle). Conclusão: a abreviação do jejum pré-operatório com líquido contendo carboidrato e proteína antes de cirurgias ginecológicas reduz sede, fome, dor, agitação e favorece maior satisfação e bem-estar do que a ingestão de solução inerte.