The effect of probiotics on postsurgical complications in patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Context

Clinical trials have investigated the effect of probiotics on postsurgical complications in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, so far, there are no systematic reviews evaluating the effect of probiotics and synbiotics on the clinical or infectious postsurgical complications of colorectal cancer.

Objective

The objective of this review was to synthesize the best available evidence on the effects of the use of probiotics or synbiotics on pre-, peri-, and post-operative complications of CRC surgical resection.

Data Sources

A search of the PubMed, Embase, LILACS, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for clinical trials published up until January 2022.

Data Extraction

The population characteristics, period and protocol of supplementation, and postoperative complications were extracted and reported. A random-effects model was used to estimate the effect of probiotic and synbiotic treatment on these variables.

Data Synthesis

In total, 2518 studies were identified, of which 16 were included in the qualitative synthesis and 13 in the meta-analysis. Overall, probiotic supplementation reduced the incidence of ileus (odds ratio [OR] = .13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .02, .78), diarrhea (OR = .32, 95% CI: .15, .69), abdominal collection (OR: .35, 95% CI: .13, .92), sepsis (OR = .41, 95% CI: .22, .80), pneumonia (OR = .39, 95% CI: .19, .83), and surgical site infection (OR = .53, 95% CI: .36, .78). The results of the subgroup analysis indicated that lower dose (<109 colony-forming units), higher duration of supplementation (>14 days), and being administrated ≤5 days before and >10 days after surgery was more effective at reducing the incidence of surgical site infection.

Conclusion

Probiotics and synbiotics seem to be a promising strategy for the prevention of postoperative complications after CRC surgery. Larger, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the optimal treatment protocol for the use of probiotics and synbiotics in preventing postoperative complications for CRC surgery.

Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography in colorrectal surgery. First case series in Mexico

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

Anastomosis leak occurs in 1-19% of colorrectal surgeries. Our objective was to present the first Mexican case series on colorrectal surgery using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography to evaluate perfusion prior to carrying out the anastomosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, analytic, descriptive study was conducted. We studied the case records of consecutive patients that underwent colorrectal surgery with indocyanine green angiography performed by the same group of colorrectal surgeons.

RESULTS

Twenty-one case records were reviewed. Eleven (52.3%) of the patients were women, mean patient age was 57 years (38-82), and mean body mass index was 25 kg/m² (17-34). Fifteen (71.4%) patients were diagnosed with malignant disease. Indocyanine green angiography changed our therapeutic decision in three (14.2%) patients. Two colorrectal anastomoses (14.2%) were performed at fewer than 5 cm from the anal verge and 13 (61.9%) were performed at more than 5 cm from the anal verge. Three of the anastomoses were ileocolic (14.2%), two were coloanal (9.5%), and one was ileoanal (4.7%). There were six (28.5%) complications, no cases of anastomotic leak, and no complications associated with the use of indocyanine green. The mortality rate was 0%.

CONCLUSION

The present case series is the first on colorrectal surgery conducted in Mexico using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, with excellent results.

Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography in colorrectal surgery. First case series in Mexico

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

Anastomotic leak occurs in 1-19% of colorrectal surgeries. Our objective was to present the first Mexican case series on colorrectal surgery using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography to evaluate perfusion prior to carrying out the anastomosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective, analytic, descriptive study was conducted. We studied the case records of consecutive patients that underwent colorrectal surgery with indocyanine green angiography performed by the same group of colorrectal surgeons.

RESULTS

Twenty-one case records were reviewed. Eleven (52.3%) of the patients were women, mean patient age was 57 years (38-82), and mean body mass index was 25 kg/m2 (17-34). Fifteen (71.4%) patients were diagnosed with malignant disease. Indocyanine green angiography changed our therapeutic decision in three (14.2%) patients. Two colorrectal anastomoses (14.2%) were performed at fewer than 5 cm from the anal verge and 13 (61.9%) were performed at more than 5 cm from the anal verge. Three of the anastomoses were ileocolic (14.2%), two were coloanal (9.5%), and one was ileoanal (4.7%). There were six (28.5%) complications, no cases of anastomotic leak, and no complications associated with the use of indocyanine green. The mortality rate was 0%.

CONCLUSION

The present case series is the first on colorrectal surgery conducted in Mexico using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography, with excellent results.

Network meta-analysis of the effect of preoperative carbohydrate loading on recovery after elective surgery

BACKGROUND

Three meta-analyses have summarized the effects of preoperative carbohydrate administration on postoperative outcomes in adult patients undergoing elective surgery. However, these studies could not account for the different doses of carbohydrate administered and the different controls used. Multiple-treatments meta-analysis allows robust synthesis of all available evidence in these situations.

METHODS

Article databases were searched systematically for RCTs comparing preoperative carbohydrate administration with water, a placebo drink, or fasting. A four-treatment multiple-treatments meta-analysis was performed comparing two carbohydrate dose groups (low, 10-44 g; high, 45 g or more) with two control groups (fasting; water or placebo). Primary outcomes were length of hospital stay and postoperative complication rate. Secondary outcomes included postoperative insulin resistance, vomiting and fatigue.

RESULTS

Some 43 trials involving 3110 participants were included. Compared with fasting, preoperative low-dose and high-dose carbohydrate administration decreased postoperative length of stay by 0·4 (95 per cent c.i. 0·03 to 0·7) and 0·2 (0·04 to 0·4) days respectively. There was no significant decrease in length of stay compared with water or placebo. There was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative complication rate, or in most of the secondary outcomes, between carbohydrate and control groups.

CONCLUSION

Carbohydrate loading before elective surgery conferred a small reduction in length of postoperative hospital stay compared with fasting, and no benefit in comparison with water or placebo.

Perioperative fluid therapy: a statement from the international Fluid Optimization Group

BACKGROUND

Perioperative fluid therapy remains a highly debated topic. Its purpose is to maintain or restore effective circulating blood volume during the immediate perioperative period. Maintaining effective circulating blood volume and pressure are key components of assuring adequate organ perfusion while avoiding the risks associated with either organ hypo- or hyperperfusion. Relative to perioperative fluid therapy, three inescapable conclusions exist: overhydration is bad, underhydration is bad, and what we assume about the fluid status of our patients may be incorrect. There is wide variability of practice, both between individuals and institutions. The aims of this paper are to clearly define the risks and benefits of fluid choices within the perioperative space, to describe current evidence-based methodologies for their administration, and ultimately to reduce the variability with which perioperative fluids are administered.

METHODS

Based on the abovementioned acknowledgements, a group of 72 researchers, well known within the field of fluid resuscitation, were invited, via email, to attend a meeting that was held in Chicago in 2011 to discuss perioperative fluid therapy. From the 72 invitees, 14 researchers representing 7 countries attended, and thus, the international Fluid Optimization Group (FOG) came into existence. These researches, working collaboratively, have reviewed the data from 162 different fluid resuscitation papers including both operative and intensive care unit populations. This manuscript is the result of 3 years of evidence-based, discussions, analysis, and synthesis of the currently known risks and benefits of individual fluids and the best methods for administering them.

RESULTS

The results of this review paper provide an overview of the components of an effective perioperative fluid administration plan and address both the physiologic principles and outcomes of fluid administration.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that both perioperative fluid choice and therapy be individualized. Patients should receive fluid therapy guided by predefined physiologic targets. Specifically, fluids should be administered when patients require augmentation of their perfusion and are also volume responsive. This paper provides a general approach to fluid therapy and practical recommendations.

Review article: Perioperative care in enhanced recovery for total hip and knee arthroplasty

Enhanced recovery pathways for total hip and knee arthroplasty can reduce length of hospital stay and perioperative morbidity. 22 studies were reviewed for identification of perioperative care interventions, including preoperative (n=4), intra-operative (n=8), and postoperative (n=4) care interventions. Factors that improve outcomes included use of pre-emptive and multimodal analgesia regimens to reduce opioid consumption, identification of patients with poor nutritional status and provision of supplements preoperatively to improve wound healing and reduce length of hospital stay, use of warming systems and tranexamic acid, avoidance of drains to reduce operative blood loss and subsequent transfusion, and early ambulation with pharmacological and mechanical prophylaxis to reduce venous thromboembolism and to speed recovery.

Goal-directed fluid therapy- a survey of anaesthetists in the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand

Background

Goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) has been shown to reduce complications and hospital length of stay following major surgery. However, there has been no assessment regarding its use in clinical practice.

Methods

An electronic survey was administered to randomly selected anaesthetists from the United Kingdom (UK, n = 2000) and the United States of America (USA, n = 2000), and 500 anaesthetists from Australia/New Zealand (AUS/NZ). Preferences, clinical use and attitudes towards GDFT were investigated. Results were collated to examine regional differences.

Results

The response rates from the UK (n = 708) and AUS/NZ (n = 180) were 35%, and 36% respectively. The response rate from the USA was very low (n = 178; 9%). GDFT use was significantly more common in the UK than in AUS/NZ (p < 0.01). The Oesophageal Doppler Monitor was the most preferred instrument in the UK (n = 362; h76%) with no clear preferences in other regions. GDFT was most commonly utilised in major abdominal surgery and for patients with significant comorbidities. The commonest reasons stated for not using GDFT were either lack of availability of monitoring tools (AUS/NZ: 57 (70%); UK: 94 (64%)) or a lack of experience with instruments (AUS/NZ: 43 (53%); UK: 51 (35%)). A subset of respondents (AUS/NZ: 22(27%); UK: 45 (30%)) felt GDFT provided no perceived benefit. Enthusiasm towards the use of GDFT in the absence of existing barriers was high.

Conclusion

Several hypotheses were generated regarding important differences in the use of GDFT between anaesthetists from the UK and AUS/NZ. There is significant interest in utilising GDFT in clinical practice and existing barriers should be addressed.

Optimizing perioperative care in bariatric surgery patients

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have been shown to minimise morbidity in other types of surgery, but comparatively less data exist investigating ERAS in bariatric surgery. This article reviews the existing literature to identify interventions which may be included in an ERAS program for bariatric surgery. A narrative literature review was conducted. Search terms included 'bariatric surgery', 'weight loss surgery', 'gastric bypass', 'ERAS', 'enhanced recovery', 'enhanced recovery after surgery', 'fast-track surgery', 'perioperative care', 'postoperative care', 'intraoperative care' and 'preoperative care'. Interventions recovered by the database search, as well as interventions garnered from clinical experience in ERAS, were used as individual search terms. A large volume of evidence exists detailing the role of multiple interventions in perioperative care. However, efficacy and safety for a proportion of these interventions for ERAS in bariatric surgery remain unclear. This review concludes that there is potential to implement ERAS programs in bariatric surgery.

Enhanced recovery after surgery versus conventional care in colonic and rectal surgery

INTRODUCTION

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes have been shown to improve outcomes after colonic surgery. However, there is less evidence supporting ERAS in rectal surgery. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of conventional perioperative care with those of an ERAS pathway including both colonic and rectal surgery patients.

METHODS

Outcomes of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery at Christchurch Hospital within the ERAS pathway were compared with patients receiving conventional perioperative care over a 2-year period. A retrospective analysis was conducted, including primary and total length of stay (LOS), readmission, complication and mortality rate.

RESULTS

A total of 240 patients undergoing colorectal surgery were included; 160 patients received conventional perioperative care and 80 patients were managed within the ERAS pathway. Primary and total LOS were shorter in the ERAS group (6 versus 7 days, P = 0.0004, 7 versus 10 days, P = 0.0003, respectively). Re-admission and complication rates were not significantly different between the groups. There was one death (in the conventional care group) within 30 days. Patients undergoing rectal surgery within the ERAS pathway did not show any difference in primary LOS, readmission or complication rate although median total LOS was significantly reduced (7 versus 10 days, P = 0.0457).

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery managed within the ERAS pathway had shorter hospital stays without increased morbidity or mortality. Differences were less pronounced in the rectal surgery subgroup and further research is needed to investigate the use of ERAS pathways for patients undergoing elective rectal surgery.

Patients' need for information prior to colonic surgery

Perioperative information and communication between patients and health professionals is central to the quality of care and patient involvement for elective colon surgery. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) means that the care process is accelerated with comprehensive information and additional requirements on an individual. The purpose of this study was to identify nurses' and doctors' experience of patients' need for information before intraoperative care. Nurses (n = 39) with different specialties and professional experience were interviewed in focus groups. Ten anesthesiologists with differing professional experience were interviewed individually. Data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. The result shows the need to provide information to reduce anxiety, to make the patient feel safe, to explain postoperative pain management, and to provide a comprehensive care pathway. There was no difference between the informants' perception of patients' information needs. All respondents agreed that patients generally have a great need for information. The perioperative information should be repeated at different points in time. The patients' need for information on diagnosis is recurrent. Knowledge, good communication, and attitude from a multiprofessional perspective support the patient's feeling comfortable and involved in the care prior to surgery.

A systematic review of enhanced recovery protocols in colorectal surgery

INTRODUCTION

Colorectal surgery has been associated with a complication rate of 15-20% and mean post-operative inpatient stays of 6-11 days. The principles of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) are well established and have been developed to optimise peri-operative care and facilitate discharge. The purpose of this systematic review is to present an updated review of peri-operative care in colorectal surgery from the available evidence and ERAS group recommendations.

METHODS

Systematic searches of the PubMed and Embase™ databases and the Cochrane library were conducted. A hand search of bibliographies of identified studies was conducted to identify any additional articles missed by the initial search strategy.

RESULTS

A total of 59 relevant studies were identified. These included six randomised controlled trials and seven clinical controlled trials that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These studies showed reductions in duration of inpatient stays in the ERAS groups compared with more traditional care as well as reductions in morbidity and mortality rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Reviewing the data reveals that ERAS protocols have a role in reducing post-operative morbidity and result in an accelerated recovery following colorectal surgery. Similarly, both primary and overall hospital stays are reduced significantly. However, the available evidence suggests that ERAS protocols do not reduce hospital readmissions or mortality. These findings help to confirm that ERAS protocols should now be implemented as the standard approach for peri-operative care in colorectal surgery.

Enhanced recovery after surgery versus conventional perioperative care in rectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery programs have been developed to improve recovery, shorten hospital stays, and reduce morbidity.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of the enhanced recovery program on the outcome of rectal surgery.

DESIGN

A cohort of patients who underwent open rectal surgery after an enhanced recovery program was compared with a historic case-matched control group receiving conventional perioperative care. Patients were matched for type of surgery, disease, comorbidity, and demographic characteristics. Data regarding fast-track targets, length of hospital stay, mortality, complications, relaparotomies, and readmissions were collected.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients in the enhanced recovery group were compared with 82 case-matched patients receiving conventional care. The length of hospital stay (median: 8 days vs 12 days, P < .005) was reduced in the enhanced recovery after surgery group. There were no significant differences in epidural use, mortality, morbidity, and readmission rates between groups.

LIMITATIONS

This study performed an intention-to-treat analysis for the multimodal enhanced recovery program in rectal surgery. Specific elements of the program were not analyzed separately. The study used nonrandomly assigned historic controls for comparison.

CONCLUSION

Enhanced recovery after surgery programs help to reduce the length of hospital stay after rectal surgery.

Influences on length of stay in an enhanced recovery programme after colonic surgery

AIM

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes have been shown to accelerate and enhance functional recovery after colonic surgery. We analysed prospectively collected data to investigate potentially modifiable factors that may influence the length of stay (LOS) in the ERAS setting at a single institution.

METHOD

Between October 2005 and November 2008, prospective data were collected on consecutive patients who underwent elective colonic surgery without a stoma. Patients with rectal cancer, those unable to participate in preoperative ERAS components because of their inability to communicate effectively in English, those with cognitive impairment and those with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade of ≥ 4 were excluded. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test and Cox regression modelling.

RESULTS

A total of 100 (79 malignancies) patients underwent elective colon resection during the study period. There were 57 right-sided, 41 left-sided and two total colectomies. The median age of the patients was 67.5 (range 31-92) years and the median day stay was 4 (range 3-46) days. Factors with significant correlations for reduced LOS were female gender, the surgeon, operative severity, high-dependency unit (HDU) admission and incision type favouring laparoscopic and transverse approaches. Age, operation site, indication for surgery and body mass index were not significant predictors of hospital stay. Gender, operative severity, HDU admission and surgeon did not have any independent correlation with LOS; in contrast to the ASA score and the type of incision, which did.

CONCLUSION

Lower ASA score, transverse incision laparotomy and laparoscopy correlated independently with reduced postoperative LOS within the ERAS setting.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) versus conventional postoperative care in colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs are associated with reduced hospital morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the introduction of ERAS care improved the adverse events in colorectal surgery. In a cohort study, mortality, morbidity, and length of stay were compared between ERAS patients and carefully matched historical controls.

METHODS

Patients were matched for their type of disease, the type of surgery, P-Possum (Portsmouth-Possum), CR-Possum (Colorectal-Possum) Physiological and Operative Score for Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM), gender, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade. The primary outcome measures of this study were mortality and morbidity. Secondary outcome measures were fluid intake, length of hospital stay, the number of relaparotomies, and the number of readmissions within 30 days. Data on the ERAS patients were collected prospectively.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients treated according to the ERAS program were compared with 122 patients who received conventional postoperative care. The two groups were comparable with respect to age, ASA grade, P-Possum (Portsmouth-Possum), CR-Possum (Colorectal-Possum) score, type of surgery, stoma formation, type of disease, and gender. Morbidity was lower in the ERAS group compared to the control group (14.8% versus 33.6% respectively; P = <0.01). Patients in the ERAS group received significantly less fluid and spent fewer days in the hospital (median 6 days, range 3-50 vs. median 9 days, range 3-138; P = 0.032). There was no difference between the ERAS and the control group for mortality (0% vs. 1.6%; P = 0.55) and readmission rate (3.3% vs. 1.6%; P = 0.60).

CONCLUSION

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program reduces morbidity and the length of hospital stay for patients undergoing elective colonic or rectal surgery.

Clinical trial: the impact of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on gastrointestinal recovery after major surgery - a randomized double blind controlled trial of celecoxib or diclofenac vs. placebo

BACKGROUND

Ileus occurs after abdominal surgery and may be severe. Inhibition of prostaglandin release reduces post-operative ileus in a rat model.

AIM

To determine whether prostaglandin inhibition by cyclooxygenase inhibitors, celecoxib or diclofenac, could enhance gastrointestinal recovery and reduce post-operative ileus in humans.

METHODS

Two hundred and ten patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery were randomized to receive twice daily placebo (n = 67), celecoxib (100 mg, n = 74) or diclofenac (50 mg, n = 69), preoperatively and continuing for up to 7 days. Primary outcomes were hallmarks of gut recovery. Secondary outcomes were paralytic ileus, pain and complications.

RESULTS

There was no clinically significant difference between the groups for restoration of bowel function. There was a significant reduction in paralytic ileus in the celecoxib-treated group (n = 1, 1%) compared with diclofenac (n = 7, 10%) and placebo (n = 9, 13%); P = 0.025, RR 0.20, CI 0.01-0.77. Pain scores, analgesia, transfusion requirements and adverse event rates were similar between study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative low dose celecoxib, but not diclofenac, markedly reduced the development of paralytic ileus following major abdominal surgery, but did not accelerate early recovery of bowel function. This was independent of narcotic use and had no increase in post-operative complications.

Enhanced recovery programmes and colorectal surgery: does the laparoscope confer additional advantages?

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to reduce postoperative lengths of stay (LOS). Laparoscopic surgery shares the same objective. Whether or not laparoscopic surgery conveys additional benefits over and above those achievable with ERAS alone is unclear.

METHOD

A review of the literature from January 1966 to June 2008 was performed. Randomized trial and case series investigating the role of laparoscopic surgery within ERAS protocols were included. These were assessed for LOS, readmissions, return of gut function, quality of life and cost of treatment.

RESULTS

Four publications from three randomized trials and another seven case series were identified. Two randomized trials revealed no difference in the LOS and readmission rates between ERAS when used alone and ERAS with the inclusion of laparoscopic surgery. However, a third trial revealed a significantly shorter LOS and a lower readmission rate in the ERAS and laparoscopic group.

CONCLUSION

The limited evidence presently available suggests that no further benefit is obtained by the inclusion of laparoscopic surgery in ERAS protocols. Further research is needed to derive more definitive conclusions.

Randomized clinical trial of the effect of glucocorticoids on peritoneal inflammation and postoperative recovery after colectomy

Background

Recent data have suggested a relationship between postoperative fatigue and the peritoneal cytokine response after surgery. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that preoperative administration of glucocorticoids before surgery would decrease fatigue and enhance recovery, by reducing the peritoneal production of cytokines.

Methods

In a double-blind randomized controlled study, patients undergoing elective, open colonic resection were administered 8 mg dexamethasone or normal saline. Patients were treated within an enhanced recovery after surgery programme. Primary outcomes were cytokine levels in peritoneal drain fluid and fatigue as measured by the Identity–Consequence Fatigue Scale (ICFS).

Results

Baseline parameters were similar for 29 patients in the dexamethasone group and 31 in the placebo group. Patients who received dexamethasone had lower ICFS scores on days 3 and 7. Dexamethasone was associated with significantly lower peritoneal fluid interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-13 concentrations on day 1, and these correlated with changes in the ICFS score. There was no significant increase in adverse events in the dexamethasone group.

Conclusion

Preoperative administration of dexamethasone resulted in a significant reduction in early postoperative fatigue, associated with an attenuated early peritoneal cytokine response. Peritoneal production of cytokines may therefore be important in postoperative recovery. Registration number: ACTRN12607000066482 (http://www.anzctr.org.au/).

Implementation of ERAS and how to overcome the barriers

BACKGROUND

Multimodal care or Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols are gaining popularity in order to modify surgical stress responses after colonic resection. However, these protocols are not straightforward to implement as peri-operative care is varied. We aimed to identify areas that may need attention in order to successfully change practice.

METHOD

The literature was reviewed for current practice, methods and issues in implementing ERAS. Based on this and our own experience we discuss several important areas that need particular attention in developing and sustaining an ERAS program.

RESULTS

International surveys have shown that current peri-operative care in colorectal resection is not evidence based. Important aspects of the ERAS philosophy including patient counselling, teamwork and attitude change are identified and discussed.

CONCLUSION

Implementing evidence-based peri-operative care into practice is challenging. Barriers to multimodal recovery pathways should be addressed.

A prospective study on the influence of a fast-track program on postoperative fatigue and functional recovery after major colonic surgery

INTRODUCTION

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have demonstrated significant reduction in hospital stay for patients undergoing colonic surgery; however, their impact on long-term outcomes, such as postoperative fatigue (POF), has not been fully established.

AIM

To assess the impact of an ERAS program on POF and recovery following elective open colonic surgery.

METHOD

In a prospective study, 26 consecutive patients undergoing open colonic surgery under a conventional care plan were compared with 26 consecutive patients in an ERAS program.

RESULTS

Demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable at baseline. The median duration of total hospital stay (4 versus 7 d, P < 0.001), rates of urinary tract infections (P = 0.028) and ileus (P = 0.042) were significantly smaller in the ERAS group. Postoperatively, POF significantly increased in both groups. However, peak POF score was significantly lower in the ERAS group (P = 0.001). In the first 30 d after surgery, Fatigue Consequence scores were also significantly smaller in the ERAS group. Overall, the total fatigue experience (P = 0.035) and the total fatigue impact (P = 0.005) were significantly smaller in the ERAS group.

CONCLUSION

The impact of ERAS programs may extend beyond the commonly reported short-term outcomes, and ERAS may accelerate overall recovery and return to normal function.