The effect of the enhanced recovery after surgery program on radical cystectomy: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Background

Bladder cancer is the ninth most common malignant tumor worldwide. As an effective evidence-based multidisciplinary protocol, the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program is practiced in many surgical disciplines. However, the function of ERAS after radical cystectomy remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to research the impact of ERAS on radical cystectomy.

Methods

A systematic literature search on PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted in April 2022 to identify the studies that performed the ERAS program in radical cystectomy. Studies were selected, data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers, and quality was assessed using a random effects model to calculate the overall effect size. The odds ratio and standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) served as the summary statistics for the meta-analysis. A sensitivity analysis was subsequently performed.

Results

A total of 25 studies with 4,083 patients were enrolled. The meta-analysis showed that the complications (OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.63-0.90), transfusion rate (OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.39-0.90), readmission rate (OR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.64-0.96), length of stay (SMD = -0.79; 95% CI: -1.41 to -0.17), and time to first flatus (SMD = -1.16; 95% CI: -1.58 to -0.74) were significantly reduced in the ERAS group. However, no significance was found in 90-day mortality and urine leakage.

Conclusion

The ERAS program for radical cystectomy can effectively decrease the risk of overall complications, postoperative ileus, readmission rate, transfusion rate, length of stay, and time to first flatus in patients who underwent radical cystectomy with relative safety.

Systematic Review Registration

https://inplasy.com/, identifier INPLASY202250075.

Enhanced pharmaceutical recovery as postoperative standard care after radical cystectomy: A meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of enhanced pharmaceutical recovery as postoperative standard care after radical cystectomy.

METHODS

A systematic literature search up to April 2021 was done and 33 studies included 6596 subjects submitted to surgery for radical cystectomy at the start of the study; 3143 of them received enhanced pharmaceutical recovery after surgery and 3453 were controls. The studies reported relationships about the effects of enhanced pharmaceutical recovery as postoperative standard care after radical cystectomy. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the effects of enhanced pharmaceutical recovery as postoperative standard care after radical cystectomy using the dichotomous and continuous methods with a random or fixed-effect model.

RESULTS

Enhanced pharmaceutical recovery after surgery had significantly lower length of hospital stay (MD, -2.78; 95% CI, -3.59 to -1.97, p < 0.001), complications (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.94, p = 0.01), readmission within 30 days (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69-0.94, p = 0.007), and time to defecation (MD, -1.30; 95% CI, -2.22 to -0.37, p = 0.006) compared to control in subjects submitted to radical cystectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced pharmaceutical recovery after surgery may reduce the length of hospital stay, complications, readmission within 30 days, and time to first bowel movement compared to control in subjects with surgery for radical cystectomy. Furthers studies are required to validate these findings.

Preliminary Results of ERAS Protocol in a Single Surgeon Prospective Case Series

Background and Objectives: The aim was to compare the intra and postoperative outcomes between the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol versus the standard of care protocol (SCP) in patients who underwent radical cystectomy performed by a single surgeon. Materials and Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted including patients who underwent radical cystectomy from 2017 to 2020. Length of stay (LOS), incidence of ileus, early postoperative complications, and number of re-hospitalizations within 30 days were considered as primary comparative outcomes of the study. Results: Data were collected for 91 patients who underwent cystectomy, and 70 and 21 patients followed the SCP and ERAS protocol, respectively. The mean age of the patients was 70.6 (SD 9.5) years. Although there was a statistically significant difference in time to flatus (TTF) [3 (2.7−3) vs. 1 (1−2 IQR) days, p < 0.001, in the SC hospital and in the ERAS center respectively], no difference was reported in time to first defecation (TTD) [5 (4−6) vs. 4 (3−5.8), p = 0.086 respectively]. The median LOS in the SCP group was 12 (IQR 11−13) days vs. 9 (IQR 8−13 p = 0.024). In the postoperative period, patients reported 22 complications (37% in SCP and 42.8% in ERAS group, p = 0.48). Conclusions: The study reveals how even partial adherence to the ERAS protocols leads to similar outcomes when compared to SCP. As a single surgeon series, our study confirmed the role of surgeons in reducing complications and improving surgical outcomes.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in patients undergoing radical cystectomy with ileal urinary diversions: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols were introduced in clinical practice to reduce complication rates and hospital stay. We performed a randomized controlled single center study to evaluate perioperative benefits of an adapted ERAS protocol in patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) and ileal urinary diversions (IUD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty five from 90 consecutive randomized patients were enrolled in an adapted ERAS protocol. Length of stay, diet issues, return of bowel function, readmission rates and complications were examined.

RESULTS

Among patients following ERAS protocol, we found a significant reduction in time to first flatus (1 vs 5 days, P < .001), time to first stool (2 vs 5 days, P < .001), time to normal diet (5 vs 6 days, P < .001) and length of stay (16 vs 18 days, P < .001). Also, postoperative ileus at less than 4 days was lower than in non-ERAS patients (15.6% vs 24.4%), but with a marginal trend toward significance (P = .05). Readmission rate was lower in the ERAS group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. We also found a lower readmission and complication rate in patients with ERAS protocol (6.6% vs 11.1%, P = .23 and 46.6% vs 57.5%, P = .29, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of ERAS protocol for patients undergoing RC in our center was associated with a significant reduction in the time to the first flatus, time to the first stool, time to a normal diet, length of hospital stay.

Early recovery after surgery for radical cystectomy: comprehensive assessment and meta-analysis of existing protocols

Purpose

Different enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols (EP) for radical cystectomy (RC) have been published. Protocols highly differ in number of included items and specific measures.

Materials and methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis on EPs in RC were performed using the databases MedLine, Cochrane Library, Web of science, and Google Scholar. The specific ERAS measures of the protocols were extracted, analyzed, and compared. Pooling of available outcome data was performed for length of stay, complications, readmission rate, and time to defecation.

Results

The search yielded a total of 860 studies of which 25 studies were included in qualitative and 22 in quantitative analysis. Oral bowel preparation (BP) was omitted in 24/25 (96%) EPs, optimized fluid management was administered in 22/25 (88%) EPs and early mobilization (postoperative day 1) in 21/25 (84%). Gum chewing (n = 12, 46%), metoclopramide (n = 11, 44%), and alvimopan (n = 6, 24%) were the most common measures to prevent postoperative ileus. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant benefit in favor of EPs for the outcome parameters length of stay [mean difference (MD) − 3.46 d, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 4.94 to − 1.98, p < 0.01], complications [Odds ratio (OR) = 0.76, 95% CI 0.61–0.94, p = 0.01] and time to defecation (MD − 1.37 d, 95% CI − 2.06 to − 0.69, p < 0.01). Readmission rate did not show a significant difference (OR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.52–1.03, p = 0.07).

Conclusion

Current EPs focus on omitting oral BP, early mobilization, and optimized fluid management while they differ in methods preventing postoperative ileus. Our meta-analysis revealed a benefit in introducing these protocols into clinical practice.

Multicomponent hospital-led interventions to reduce hospital stay for older adults following elective surgery: a systematic review

Background

Elective older adult inpatient admissions are increasingly common. Older adults are at an elevated risk of adverse events in hospital, potentially increasing with lengthier hospital stay. Hospital-led organisational strategies may optimise hospital stay for elective older adult inpatients.

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of hospital-led multicomponent interventions to reduce hospital stay for older adults undergoing elective hospital admissions.

Data sources

Seven bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, EMBASE, Health Management Information Consortium, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database) were searched from inception to date of search (August 2017), alongside carrying out of web searches, citation searching, inspecting relevant reviews, consulting stakeholders and contacting authors. This search was duplicated, with an additional cost-filter, to identify cost-effectiveness evidence.

Review methods

Comparative studies were sought that evaluated the effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of relevant interventions in elective inpatients with a mean or median age of ≥ 60 years. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were completed independently by two reviewers. The main outcome was length of stay, but all outcomes were considered. Studies were sorted by procedure, intervention and outcome categories. Where possible, standardised mean differences or odds ratios were calculated. Meta-analysis was performed when multiple randomised controlled trials had the same intervention, treatment procedure, comparator and outcome. Findings were explored using narrative synthesis.

Findings

A total of 218 articles were included, with 80 articles from 73 effectiveness studies (n = 26,365 patients) prioritised for synthesis, including 34 randomised controlled trials conducted outside the UK and 39 studies from the UK, of which 12 were randomised controlled trials. Fifteen studies included cost-effectiveness data. The evidence was dominated by enhanced recovery protocols and prehabilitation, implemented to improve recovery from either colorectal surgery or lower limb arthroplasty. Six other surgical categories and four other intervention types were identified. Meta-analysis found that enhanced recovery protocols were associated with 1.5 days’ reduction in hospital stay among patients undergoing colorectal surgery (Cohen’sd = –0.51, 95% confidence interval –0.78 to –0.24;p < 0.001) and with 5 days’ reduction among those undergoing upper abdominal surgery (Cohen’sd = –1.04, 95% confidence interval –1.55 to –0.53;p < 0.001). Evidence from the UK was not pooled (owing to mixed study designs), but it echoed findings from the international literature. Length of stay usually was reduced with intervention or was no different. Other clinical outcomes also improved or were no worse with intervention. Patient-reported outcomes were not frequently reported. Cost and cost-effectiveness evidence came from 15 highly heterogeneous studies and was less conclusive.

Limitations

Studies were usually of moderate or weak quality. Some intervention or treatment types were under-reported or absent. The reporting of variance data often precluded secondary analysis.

Conclusions

Enhanced recovery and prehabilitation interventions were associated with reduced hospital stay without detriment to other clinical outcomes, particularly for patients undergoing colorectal surgery, lower limb arthroplasty or upper abdominal surgery. The impacts on patient-reported outcomes, health-care costs or additional service use are not well known.

Future work

Further studies evaluating of the effectiveness of new enhanced recovery pathways are not required in colorectal surgery or lower limb arthroplasty. However, the applicability of these pathways to other procedures is uncertain. Future studies should evaluate the implementation of interventions to reduce service variation, in-hospital patient-reported outcomes, impacts on health and social care service use, and longer-term patient-reported outcomes.

Study registration

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42017080637.

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

Impact of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols versus standard of care on perioperative outcomes of radical cystectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

INTRODUCTION

Among the measures taken in the recent years to reduce the morbidity and improve functional recovery after radical cystectomy (RC), the optimization of perioperative care pathways is gaining a prominent role. The aim of this systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis is to assess the impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols vs. standard of care on perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing RC.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases were searched. Only comparative studies evaluating the impact of ERAS protocols vs. standard of care on intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing RC were included. Cumulative analysis was conducted using Review Manager v.5.3 software. Statistical heterogeneity was tested using the χ2 Test, and a P value <0.10 was used to indicate heterogeneity. Random-effects and fixed-effects models were used as appropriate depending on heterogeneity status.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total of 27 studies were included, namely 3 randomized and 24 non-randomized controlled studies, resulting in 4712 patients, 2690 (57%) participants to some ERAS protocol and 2022 (43%) controls receiving standard of care. A number of primary and secondary outcome measures were assessed in the original studies. Pooled data showed that ERAS protocols were associated with significantly faster recovery of bowel function, faster return to regular diet and shorter hospital stay with no increase in 30-day and 90-day major complication, mortality or readmission rates compared to standard of care. The magnitude of benefit of the various ERAS protocols tested had, however, a non-negligible inter-study variability.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review with meta-analysis of comparative studies showed that ERAS protocols applied to patients undergoing RC enabled a faster recovery of bowel function, a faster return to regular diet and a shorter hospital stay with no increase in major complication or readmission rate compared to standard perioperative care. RC with ERAS protocols should be considered the new standard of care.

Does Postoperative Rehabilitation for Radical Cystectomy Call for Enhanced Recovery after Surgery? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The aim of this review was to systematically compare the outcomes of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) with standard care (SC) after radical cystectomy. We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies published until September 2017 which involved a comparison of ERAS and SC. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the outcomes of ERAS versus SC. Sixteen studies including 8 prospective and 8 retrospective trials met the eligibility criteria. A total of 2100 participants were assigned to ERAS (1258 cases) or SC (842 cases). The time to first flatus passage {WMD=-0.95 days, 95% CI (-1.50,-0.41), P=0.0006}, time until return to a regular diet {WMD=-2.15 days, 95% CI (-2.86,-1.45), P<0.00001} and the length of hospital stay {WMD=-3.75 days, 95% CI (-5.13,-2.36), P<0.00001} were significantly shorter, and the incidence of postoperative complications {OR=0.60, 95% CI (0.44, 0.83), P=0.002}, especially postoperative paralytic ileus {OR=0.43, 95% CI (0.30, 0.62), P<0.00001} and cardiovascular complications {OR=0.28, 95% CI (0.09, 0.90), P=0.03} was significantly lower in the ERAS group than those in the SC group. This meta-analysis demonstrated that ERAS was associated with a shorter time to first flatus passage, return of bowel function, and the length of hospital stay than SC in patients undergoing radical cystectomy, as well as a lower rate of postoperative complications, especially paralytic ileus and cardiovascular complications.

[Do initial experience with an enhanced recovery program after surgery (ERAS) improve postoperative outcomes after cystectomy?]

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the feasibility and the impact of an ERAS program after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study comparing a historical pre ERAS group, including all the patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer from January 2013 to December 2015 with a classic procedure, and an interventional ERAS group after introducing an enhanced recovery protocol before, during and after surgery, from February 2016. The principal outcome was the postoperative length of stay. Secondary outcomes mesures were impact on perioperative complication rate (Clavien classification≥3B), readmission rate, reanimation length of stay, ileus rate and adherence to the ERAS protocol.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the 2 groups as far as demographics characteristics are concerned. In total, 97 patients were included, 56 in the control group, and 41 in the ERAS group. The adherence to the protocol was about 65.8%. The ERAS group had statistically significantly shorter median length of stay (D19 versus D14; P: 0.021). The major complications rate (Clavien≥3B) were about 23.2% for the control group and 12.1% for the ERAS group (P: NS). The reinsertion of nasogastric tube were higher in the control group (39.3% vs 21.9%; P: NS) and the readmission rate was about 7.1% in the control group versus 14.6% in the ERAS group (P: NS).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, introduction and application of an enhanced recovery protocol (ERAS) after cystectomy for bladder cancer allowed for better management of postoperative outcomes. It is clearly feasible in cystectomy, and improve significantly the median postoperative length of stay. Moreover, it may be effective in terms of faster return of bowel function and reduction of majors complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Pathway in Patients Undergoing Open Radical Cystectomy Is Safe and Accelerates Bowel Function Recovery

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathway was associated with a faster bowel function recovery and no increase in morbidity compared with standard perioperative care in a contemporary series of patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

METHODS

A prospective single-center single-surgeon cohort of 114 consecutive patients treated with open radical cystectomy between July 2013 and June 2016 was analyzed. A study group of 74 patients with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathway was compared with a control group of 40 patients with standard perioperative care. Primary outcome was recovery of bowel function, measured by resumption of bowel sounds, passage of flatus, and passage of stool. Secondary outcome was rate of overall and major 90-day postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Bowel function recovery was significantly faster in the study group. Resumption of bowel sounds on postoperative day 1 was recorded in 43 (58%) vs 4 (10%) patients, passage of flatus within postoperative day 2 in 41 (55%) vs 11 (28%) patients, and passage of stool within postoperative day 3 in 37 (50%) vs no patients in the study vs control group, respectively (P < .01 for all). Overall and major 90-day complications were observed in 35 (47.3%) and 13 (17.6%) patients in the study group, and in 25 (62.5%) and 9 (22.5%) patients in the control group (P = .14 and 0.38, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing open radical cystectomy, an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathway allowed a significantly faster bowel function recovery with no increase in 90-day postoperative complications compared with standard perioperative care.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Noncolorectal Surgery?: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Major Abdominal Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols across noncolorectal abdominal surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND

ERAS programs have been studied extensively in colorectal surgery and adopted at many centers. Several studies testing such protocols have shown promising results in improving postoperative outcomes across various surgical procedures. However, surgeons performing major abdominal procedures have been slower to adopt these ERAS protocols.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed using "enhanced recovery after surgery" or "fast track" as search terms and excluded studies of colorectal procedures. Primary endpoints for the meta-analysis include length of stay (LOS) and complication rate. Secondary endpoints were time to first flatus, readmission rate, and costs.

RESULTS

A total of 39 studies (6511 patients) met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among them 14 studies were randomized trials, and the remaining 25 studies were cohort studies. Meta-analysis showed a decrease in LOS of 2.5 days (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.8-3.2, P < 0.001) and a complication rate of 0.70 (95% CI: 0.56-0.86, P = 0.001) for patient treated in ERAS programs. There was also a significant reduction in time to first flatus of 0.8 days (95% CI: 0.4-1.1, P < 0.001) and cost reduction of $5109.10 (95% CI: $4365.80-$5852.40, P < 0.001). There was no significant increase in readmission rate (OR 1.03, 95% CI: 0.84-1.26, P = 0.80) in our analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

ERAS protocols decreased length of stay and cost by not increasing complications or readmission rates. This study adds to the evidence that ERAS protocols are safe to implement and are beneficial to surgical patients and the healthcare system across multiple abdominal procedures.

A prospective randomized pilot study evaluating an ERAS protocol versus a standard protocol for patients treated with radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for bladder cancer

PURPOSE

There is a lack of evidence demonstrating the benefits of using enhanced recovery after surgery protocols (ERAS). Here, we propose to use a randomized clinical pilot study to demonstrate the benefits and feasibility of implementing ERAS versus standard protocols (SP) in patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion.

METHODS

27 consecutive patients undergoing RC were included in the study. 12 patients were prospectively randomized to follow an ERAS protocol and 15 patients followed an SP. Duration of hospital stay, time to first flatulence and bowel movement, complications and 30 day readmission rates, as well as subjective outcomes such as postoperative pain, nausea, bowel symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and patient experience and satisfaction were evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients following ERAS had a significantly shorter: hospital stay, time to flatulence, and time to bowel movement than patients following SP. No major complications were reported. Only one patient in the ERAS group was readmitted for bowel obstruction, and no patients were readmitted in the SP group. Patients under ERAS reported lower postoperative pain scores. Mean Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Bladder Cancer score decreased and mean Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite, bowel symptom score increased in the SP group at the time of discharge compared to prior to surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the feasibility of a randomized pilot study assessing ERAS compared to SP post RC. ERAS protocol provided evidence of significant benefits over SP with similar complication rates. This study suggests the need for a clinical trial of assessing ERAS protocols after RC.

Impact of an enhanced recovery after surgery programme in radical cystectomy. A cohort-comparative study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the results of the implementation of an enhanced recovery program (ERAS) for open approach radical cystectomy compared to the historical cohort of the same hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 138 consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy with Bricker or Studer ileal derivation (97 historical vs. 41 ERAS). Overall complication rate, Clavien-Dindo stage>2 complications, mortality, hospital and critical care length of stay and readmission rates, as well as need for reoperation, nasogastric intubation, transfusion or parenteral nutrition were compared.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences in overall complication rate were found (73.171 vs. 77.32%; OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.54-2.981; P=.601) nor in Clavien-Dindo>2 complications (41.463 vs. 42.268%; OR 1.033, 95% CI 0.492-2.167; P=.93), mortality, lengths of stays readmission and reoperation rates. The need for nasogastric tube insertion was lower in the ERAS group (43.902 vs. 78.351%; OR 4.624, 95% CI 2.112-10.123; P<.0001), as well as the need for total parenteral nutrition (26.829 vs. 34.021%; OR 12.234, 95% CI 5.165-28.92; P<.0001), and time under endotracheal intubation since anaesthesia induction (median [IRQ]=325 (285-355) vs. 540 (360-600) min; P<.0001).

CONCLUSION

Enhanced recovery programs in radical cystectomy decrease interventionism on the patient without increasing morbidity and mortality.

Enhanced Recovery Pathways Versus Standard Care After Cystectomy: A Meta-analysis of the Effect on Perioperative Outcomes

CONTEXT

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to improve surgical outcomes by reducing variation in perioperative best practices. However, among published studies, results show a striking variation in the effect of ERAS pathways on perioperative outcomes after cystectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of ERAS versus standard care on perioperative outcomes after cystectomy.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We performed a literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, and the health-related grey literature in February 2016 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis and the Cochrane Handbook. Studies were reviewed according to criteria from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Thirteen studies (1493 total patients) met the inclusion criteria (ERAS: 801, standard care: 692). A pooled meta-analysis of all comparative studies was performed using inverse-weighted, fixed-effects models, and random-effects models. Publication bias was graphically assessed using contour-enhanced funnel plots and was formally tested using the Harbord modification of the Egger test.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Pooled data showed a lower overall complication rate (risk ratio [RR]: 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74-0.97, p = 0.017, I²=35.6%), a shorter length of stay (standardized mean difference:-0.87, 95% CI: -1.31 to -0.42, p=0.001, I²=92.8%), and a faster return of bowel function (standardized mean difference: -1.02, 95% CI: -1.69 to -0.34, p=0.003, I²=92.2%) in the ERAS group. No difference was noted for the overall readmission rates (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.39-1.41, p=0.36, I²=51.4%), although a stratified analysis showed a lower 30-d readmission rate in the ERAS group (RR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.19-0.83, p=0.015, I²=0%).

CONCLUSIONS

ERAS protocols reduce the length of stay, time-to-bowel function, and rate of complications after cystectomy.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Enhanced recovery after surgery pathways for cystectomy reduce complications and the amount of time patients spend in the hospital.

[Predictive factors and prognostic consequences of perioperative complications of radical cystectomies for urothelial carcinoma in patients of 80 years or more]

OBJECTIVE

To define the predictive factors and the prognostic consequences of perioperative complications occurrence while radical cystectomies for urothelial carcinoma treatment in patients older than 80 years.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Retrospective analysis of clinical and biological preoperative data and outcome of eighty patients of 80 years or more, treated with radical cystectomy between 1990 and 2010 in one centre. Perioperative complications were graded according to the classification from Clavien-Dindo.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients (35%) had a single perioperative complication and nineteen (24%) had multiple (≥2) perioperative complications. Overall survival of patients with multiple perioperative complications was significantly lower than that of patients who had no complications (Log-rank P=0.0004). The occurrence of multiple perioperative complications was associated with Charlson and ASA scores, with pelvic irradiation and induction chemotherapy histories. However, in multivariate analysis, only the existence of respiratory comorbidity was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of multiple perioperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of multiple perioperative complications was associated with reduced overall survival in elderly patients after radical cystectomy. The existence of respiratory comorbidity was the only independent risk factor for the occurrence of multiple perioperative complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

5.