Decreasing the Surgical Stress Response and an Initial Experience from the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Colorectal Surgery Program at an Academic Institution

Evaluating outcomes of patient-centered enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in percutaneous nephrolithotomy for staghorn stones: An initial experience

Objective

To evaluate the outcomes of patient-centered enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in -percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for staghorn stones.

Patients and methods

A retrospective analysis of 106 patients with staghorn calculi who underwent PCNL treatment at the Third Xiangya Hospital from October 01, 2018 to September 30, 2021 was performed. The patients were divided into the ERAS group (n = 56) and traditional group (n = 50). The ERAS program focused on a patient-centered concept, with elaboration on aspects, such as patient education, nutritional support, analgesia, body warming, early mobilization, nephrostomy tube removal, and strict follow-up.

Results

The total stone free rate and total complication rate were similar in both groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) 6 h after surgery, ambulation off bed time, indwelling fistula time, indwelling catheter time, and postoperative hospital stays were lower in the ERAS group than in the traditional group (P < 0.05). The multiple session rate in the ERAS group (19, 28.57%) was lower than that in the traditional group (30, 60%) (P = 0.007). The 1-year stone recurrence rate in the ERAS group (7, 17.5%) was lower than that in the traditional group (14, 38.9%) (P = 0.037).

Conclusion

The patient-centered ERAS in PCNL for staghorn stones accelerated rehabilitation by relieving postoperative pain, shortening hospitalization time, accelerating early ambulation, and reducing multiple session rate and 1-year stone recurrence rate, which have socioeconomic benefits.

Lumbosacral paraspinal interfascial plane blocks for pain control after feminizing genital gender affirmation surgery

Aim: Feminizing genital gender affirmation surgery (fgGAS) is increasing in prevalence in the USA. Management of postoperative pain following fgGAS is challenging. We report a series of patients where post-fgGAS pain was adequately controlled with paraspinal blocks. Materials & methods: This is a case series of three patients who received bilateral lumbar and sacral erector spinae plane blocks after fgGAS. Block techniques, medications administered, opioid requirements and pain scores were reviewed. Results: Erector spinae plane blocks provided adequate analgesia for 24-48 h following the block. Conclusion: Currently, there are two regional anesthetic techniques described for the treatment of postoperative pain after fgGAS. We describe two additional approaches as options for improved pain management in this patient population.

Gastrointestinal motility has more of an impact on postoperative recovery than you might expect

PURPOSE

While patient's reported autonomy (PRA) may help the physician to adapt the day of discharge, the link between postoperative ileus and length of stay and PRA is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of the PRA score during the postoperative period and to determine the factors possibly influencing such an evolution.

METHODS

This retrospective study on a prospective database took place in a single centre over 14 months. PRA was defined by the by using part I of the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale known as activity of daily life [from 9 (best) to 45 (worst)].

RESULTS

Among the 101 patients operated on for elective or emergent colorectal surgery, 80% of the patients had recovered their preoperative PRA (±5 points) before discharge and maintained their PRA during the 2 days preceding discharge. While PRA was significantly decreased by surgery (P<0.0001), each postoperative day allowed for its progressive recovery. Interestingly, the day of recovery of GI transit was associated with a significant increase of PRA (-6.96 points, P<0.0001). Despite high variability of baseline autonomy level, patients presented very similar recovery processes, which were represented by very low slope variability in the linear mixed model. Laparoscopy reduced the decrease of postoperative PRA (P=0.03) while ASA score>2 increased PRA (P=0.03). Age, emergency surgery and the occurrence of postoperative morbidity did not affect postoperative autonomy. Finally, enhanced recovery programs (ERP) tended to improve postoperative autonomy recovery (P=0.09).

CONCLUSION

PRA may be used as a means of optimising a patient's day of discharge following colorectal surgery.

Ordering a Normal Diet at the End of Surgery-Justified or Overhasty?

Early re-alimentation is advocated by enhanced recovery pathways (ERP). This study aimed to assess compliance to ERP-set early re-alimentation policy and to compare outcomes of early fed patients and patients in whom early feeding was withhold due to the independent decision making of the surgeon. For this purpose, demographic, surgical and outcome data of all consecutive elective colorectal surgical procedures (2011–2016) were retrieved from a prospectively maintained institutional ERP database. The primary endpoint was postoperative ileus (POI). Surgical 30-day outcome and length of stay were compared between patients undergoing the pathway-intended early re-alimentation pattern and patients in whom early re-alimentation was not compliant. Out of the 7103 patients included, 1241 (17.4%) were not compliant with ERP re-alimentation. Patients with delayed re-alimentation presented with more postoperative complications (37 vs. 21%, p < 0.001) and a prolonged length of hospital stay (8 ± 7 vs. 5 ± 4 days, p < 0.001). While male gender (odds ratio (OR) 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–1.32), fluid overload (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.16–1.65) and high American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.27–1.8) were independent risk factors for POI, laparoscopy (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.38–0.68) and ERP compliant diet (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.36–0.6) were both protective. Hence, this study provides further evidence of the beneficial effect of early oral feeding after colorectal surgery.

Comparison of Fast-Track Versus Conventional Surgery Protocol for Patients Undergoing Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: A Chinese Experience

Fast-track surgery (FTS), which includes a series of evidence-based adjustments, is expected to reduce complications, relieve surgical stress reaction, accelerate recovery, and shorten hospitalization, as well as improve safety. The aim of this study was to critically evaluate the safety and effectiveness of FTS in Chinese prostate cancer (Pca) patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). A retrospective analysis was performed on 73 consecutive Chinese Pca patients who underwent RALP and who were divided into two groups: conventional surgery (CS) and FTS. Preoperative clinical data, intraoperative characteristics, postoperative outcomes and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. No significant differences in preoperative parameters were observed between the two groups. Compared with the CS group, the FTS group showed a significantly shorter time to first flatus, time to regular diet, postoperative hospitalization time, lower incidence of complications, and lower reactions of postoperative stress and pain. Our study demonstrates that FTS is feasible and safe for Chinese Pca patients undergoing RALP and that it accelerates recovery, attenuates surgical stress response, and reduces morbidity compared to CS.