Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Wound Infiltration with Local Anesthetics Versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Pain Management in Gynecological Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

Postoperative pain management significantly influences recovery speed, hospital stay duration, and healthcare costs. In light of inconsistencies in clinical trial outcomes, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of the Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block compared to local anesthetic wound infiltration (WI) for postoperative pain management in gynecological surgery.

DATA SOURCES

Systematic searches were conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases to identify all randomized controlled trials comparing TAP block and WI in adult patients undergoing gynecological surgical procedures. Additionally, the reference lists of the identified studies were manually reviewed. Only studies published in English were eligible for inclusion in the analysis.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

The Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome framework for the review included: (1) adult patients who underwent gynecological surgical procedures; (2) postoperative TAP block as the intervention; (3) comparison with local anesthetic WI; (4) primary outcome: postoperative pain at 1, 4, 12, and 24 hours; secondary outcomes: postoperative opioid consumption, opioid-related side effects, and patient satisfaction. STATA software, version 18 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX, USA), was used for the analysis.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

A total of 213 papers were initially identified. Of these, 10 randomized controlled trials encompassing a total of 604 patients met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis studying minimally invasive surgery showed that TAP block was associated with lower pain scores at rest and 1, 4, 12, and 24 hours compared to the WI group. Furthermore, the TAP block resulted in a reduction in opioid consumption at 24 hours, although there was no significant difference in opioid-related adverse effects. Two studies presented data on patient-reported satisfaction, and a pooled analysis was not feasible due to heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

TAP block seems to provide better postoperative pain control after laparoscopic gynecologic procedures and reduces opioid use compared to WI in gynecologic surgery.

Interaction mechanism of discharge readiness between discharge teaching and post-discharge outcomes in gynecological inpatients: a mediation analysis

BACKGROUND

With the rapid implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery, most gynecological patients are discharged without full recovery. Discharge planning is necessary for patients and their families to transition from hospital to home. Discharge teaching and discharge readiness are two core indicators used to evaluate the quality of discharge planning, which impacts the post-discharge outcomes. To improve post-discharge outcomes, the interaction mechanism of the three variables needs to be determined, but few studies have focused on it.

OBJECTIVES

Explore the mediating effect of discharge readiness between discharge teaching and post-discharge outcomes of gynecological inpatients.

METHODS

Discharge teaching and discharge readiness were measured by the Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale (QDTS) and Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS). Post-discharge outcomes on postoperative Day 7 (POF-D7) and postoperative Day 28 (POF-D28) were measured by a self-designed tool. Spearman correlations, Kruskal‒Wallis tests and Mann‒Whitney U tests were conducted to explore the correlation between post-discharge outcomes and other variables. Mediation analysis was used to explore the mediating effect of discharge readiness between discharge teaching and post-discharge outcomes.

RESULTS

QDTS and RHDS showed strong positive correlations with post-discharge outcomes. The mediation analyses verified that RHDS was a full mediator between QDTS and POF-D7, and the indirect effect accounted for 95.6% of the total direct effect. RHDS was a partial mediator between QDTS and POF-D28, and the indirect effect accounted for 50.0% of the total direct effect. RHDS was a full mediator between QDTS and total scores of post-discharge outcomes, and the indirect effect accounted for 88.9% of the total direct effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Discharge teaching can improve the post-discharge outcomes of gynecological inpatients through the intermediary role of discharge readiness. Doctors and nurses should value the quality of discharge teaching and the discharge readiness improving of gynecological inpatients. Future studies should note the interaction mechanism of the three variables to explore more efficient ways of improving post-discharge outcomes of gynecological inpatients.

Objective assessment tools in laparoscopic or robotic-assisted gynecological surgery: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

There is a growing emphasis on proficiency-based progression within surgical training. To enable this, clearly defined metrics for those newly acquired surgical skills are needed. These can be formulated in objective assessment tools. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the literature reporting on available tools for objective assessment of minimally invasive gynecological surgery (simulated) performance and evaluate their reliability and validity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic search (1989-2022) was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science in accordance with PRISMA. The trial was registered with the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) ID: CRD42022376552. Randomized controlled trials, prospective comparative studies, prospective single-group (with pre- and post-training assessment) or consensus studies that reported on the development, validation or usage of assessment tools of surgical performance in minimally invasive gynecological surgery, were included. Three independent assessors assessed study setting and validity evidence according to a contemporary framework of validity, which was adapted from Messick's validity framework. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the modified medical education research study quality instrument (MERSQI) checklist. Heterogeneity in data reporting on types of tools, data collection, study design, definition of expertise (novice vs. experts) and statistical values prevented a meaningful meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 19 746 titles and abstracts were screened of which 72 articles met the inclusion criteria. A total of 37 different assessment tools were identified of which 13 represented manual global assessment tools, 13 manual procedure-specific assessment tools and 11 automated performance metrices. Only two tools showed substantive evidence of validity. Reliability and validity per tool were provided. No assessment tools showed direct correlation between tool scores and patient related outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Existing objective assessment tools lack evidence on predicting patient outcomes and suffer from limitations in transferability outside of the research environment, particularly for automated performance metrics. Future research should prioritize filling these gaps while integrating advanced technologies like kinematic data and AI for robust, objective surgical skill assessment within gynecological advanced surgical training programs.

Sustainability of an enhanced recovery pathway after minimally invasive gynecologic oncology surgery

OBJECTIVE

Same day discharge is safe after minimally invasive gynecology oncology surgery. Our quality improvement peri-operative program based on enhanced recovery after surgery principles led to an increase in same day discharge from 30% to 75% over a 12 month period. Twelve months after program implementation, we assessed the sustainability of same day discharge rates, determined post-operative complication rates, and evaluated factors affecting same day discharge rates.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted of 100 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery at an academic cancer center from January to 2021 to December 2021. This cohort was compared with the active intervention cohort (n=102) from the implementation period (January 2020 to December 2020). Same day discharge rates and complications were compared. Multivariable analysis was performed to assess which factors remained associated with same day discharge post-intervention.

RESULTS

Same day discharge post-intervention was 72% compared with 75% during active intervention (p=0.69). Both cohorts were similar in age (p=0.24) and body mass index (p=0.27), but the post-intervention cohort had longer operative times (p=0.001). There were no significant differences in 30-day complications, readmission, reoperation, or emergency room visits (p>0.05). There was a decrease in 30-day post-operative clinic visits from 18% to 5% in the post-intervention cohort (p=0.007), and unnecessary bowel prep use decreased from 35% to 14% (p<0.001). On multivariable analysis, start time (second case of the day) (OR 0.06; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.35), and ward narcotic use (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.42) remained associated with overnight admission.

CONCLUSION

Same day discharge rate was sustained at 72%, 12 months after the implementation of a quality improvement program to optimize same day discharge rate after minimally invasive surgery, while maintaining low post-operative complications and reducing unplanned clinic visits. To maximize same day discharge, minimally invasive gynecologic oncology surgery should be prioritized as the first case of the day, and post-operative narcotic use should be limited.

Can robotic-assisted surgery support enhanced recovery programs?

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols comprise a multimodal approach to optimize patient outcome and recovery. ERAS guidelines recommend minimally invasive surgery (MIS) when possible. Key components in MIS include preoperative patient education and optimization; multimodal and narcotic-sparing analgesia; prophylactic measures regarding nausea, infection, and venous thrombosis; maintenance of euvolemia; and promotion of the early activity. ERAS protocols in MIS improve outcome mainly in terms of reduced length of stay and subsequently reduced cost. In addition, ERAS protocols in MIS reduce postoperative pain and nausea, increase patient satisfaction, and might reduce the rate of postoperative complications. Robotic surgery supports ERAS through facilitating MIS in complex procedures where laparotomy is an alternative approach.

Strategies for Cost Optimization in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Background:

Cost and quality are important, complex, and intertwined surgical outcomes. Evidence suggests that major cost drivers include operating room time, length of stay, re-admission, surgical complications, and quality of pre-operative and operative care in general. Our practices shape both costs and quality of gynecologic surgery. Various factors are explored in this review article to present and identify ways to implement cost-effective change that also improve quality of patient care.

Database:

We searched MEDLINE and PubMed databases for relevant articles.

Discussion:

Clinical preferences and decisions, surgeon experience, trainee education, and defensive medicine can influence cost. In addition, an incongruent physician-administration relationship may impact decisions across the healthcare system. The accelerating adoption of minimally invasive surgery, particularly the robotic approach, presents both an opportunity and a challenge. An example of practices that improve outcomes, patient satisfaction, and cut cost is pre-operative optimization, enhanced recovery after surgery, and the growing adoption of outpatient hysterectomy. The identification of cost-drivers and finding strategies to improve them would simultaneously improve quality and patient outcomes while reducing costs in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.