Quality of life at home and satisfaction of patients after enhanced recovery protocol for colorectal surgery

Postoperative Work and Activity Restrictions After Abdominal Surgery: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to assess what is known about convalescence following abdominal surgery. Through a review of the basic science and clinical literature, we explored the effect of physical activity on the healing fascia and the optimal timing for postoperative activity.

BACKGROUND

Abdominal surgery confers a 30% risk of incisional hernia development. To mitigate this, surgeons often impose postoperative activity restrictions. However, it is unclear whether this is effective or potentially harmful in preventing hernias.

METHODS

We conducted 2 separate systematic reviews using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The first assessed available basic science literature on fascial healing. The second assessed available clinical literature on activity after abdominal surgery.

RESULTS

Seven articles met inclusion criteria for the basic science review and 22 for the clinical studies review. The basic science data demonstrated variability in maximal tensile strength and time for fascial healing, in part due to differences in layer of abdominal wall measured. Some animal studies indicated a positive effect of physical activity on the healing wound. Most clinical studies were qualitative, with only 3 randomized controlled trials on this topic. Variability was reported on clinician recommendations, time to return to activity, and factors that influence return to activity. Interventions designed to shorten convalescence demonstrated improvements only in patient-reported symptoms. None reported an association between activity and complications, such as incisional hernia.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review identified gaps in our understanding of what is best for patients recovering from abdominal surgery. Randomized controlled trials are crucial in safely optimizing the recovery period.

Transition from hospital to home after elective colorectal surgery performed in an enhanced recovery program: An integrative review

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the transition from hospital to home after elective colorectal surgery performed in an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme.

DESIGN

An integrative review.

METHODS

A search of ten electronic databases was conducted. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. Data analysis and synthesis were based on Meleis' Transitions Theory (2010).

RESULTS

Forty-two articles were included, and most (N = 27) were of good or very good quality. The researchers identified five categories to document the nature of transition postsurgery, three conditions affecting such transition, eleven indicators informing about the quality of the transition and several nursing interventions. Overall, this review revealed that the transition from hospital to home after ERAS colorectal surgery is complex. A holistic understanding of this phenomenon may help nurses to recognize what they need to do to optimize the in-home recovery of this clientele.

Energy and Protein Intake After Return Home in Colorectal Surgery Patients With an Enhanced Recovery Program: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

In patients scheduled for colorectal surgery with an enhanced recovery program (ERP), feeding after returning home has been insufficiently investigated. The aim of this study was to measure energy and protein intake during the first month at home.

METHODS

Seventy adult patients scheduled for colorectal surgery with ERP were included. Calorie and protein intakes were calculated, and body weight was measured preoperatively and 3, 7, 15, and 30 days after discharge home. Data are mean ± SD or median (interquartile range).

RESULTS

Patient characteristics were age 60.0 ± 15.0 years, BMI = 25.9 ± 5.5 kg/m² , and colon/rectum of 56/14. The duration of hospitalization was 3 (2-5) days. Calorie and protein intakes (21.9 [17.7-28.6] kilocalorie per kilogram of ideal body weight [kcal/kg IBW] and 0.81 [0.61-1.14] g/kg IBW) were significantly reduced (P < .01) by 15% on day 3, compared with preoperative values, and then increased gradually to reach preoperative values after 1 month. Almost 50% of the patients failed to reach the calorie intake target of 25 kcal/kg IBW, and almost no patient reached the protein intake target of 1.5 g/kg IBW 30 days after discharge home. Weight loss after 30 days at home remained at -1.8 ± 2.7 kg.

CONCLUSIONS

Colorectal surgery, even in an ERP, is associated with energy and protein intake below the targets recommended for the rehabilitation phase and results in weight loss. Whether nutrition counseling and prolonged administration of protein-enriched oral supplements could accelerate weight gain needs to be explored.

How to implement an enhanced recovery programme after colorectal surgery?

INTRODUCTION

Although the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery was introduced more than 20 years ago, its implementation in daily practice still remains difficult.

RESULTS

This article addresses bottlenecks and barriers to the development of enhanced recovery programme (ERP). Barriers to the implementation are multifactorial and are raised by the different actors of these programmes: surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, patients. Solutions and steps that must be respected to succeed in introducing ERP in an hospital are proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Large-scale implementation of ERP continues to face mainly lack of trust and communication. Solutions exist and are based particularly on team work and interdisciplinary collaboration.