Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: It's Time to Change Practice!

Factors associated with postoperative efficacy evaluation in patients with morbid obesity

The global obesity problem is becoming increasingly serious, with eight of the top ten causes of death in Taiwan in 2020 being related to obesity. Morbid obesity poses a significant threat to one's health and well-being. In recent years, bariatric surgery has emerged as a more effective treatment option for patients with morbid obesity. However, the procedure is not without risks. This study aims to examine the factors that impact the postoperative efficacy evaluation of patients with morbid obesity. This study uses a retrospective cross-sectional design, with medical records being collected retrospectively. The data was collected from patients who underwent bariatric surgery between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2020 at a hospital in southern Taiwan. A total of 663 patients were included in the study and were observed for 1 year after the surgery. The independent variables included demographic variables, perceived symptoms variables, perceived lifestyle variables, and surgery-related variables, while the dependent variables included weight loss outcomes and complications. The prognostic factors affecting the postoperative efficacy evaluation of patients with pathological obesity were determined using multiple regression analysis and binary regression analysis. The study found that 65.6% of the participants were female, with an average age of 36.8 years. The results of the multiple regression and binary logistic regression showed that gender, age, BMI, diabetes, and smoking habit were the predictors of postoperative weight loss. Hypertension, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, smoking habit, drinking habit, and operation time were the predictors of postoperative complications. The study found that the presence of the aforementioned 12 significant factors can affect the success of weight loss after surgery and the incidence of postoperative complications. This information can serve as a reference for clinical care institutions and patients to improve the postoperative efficacy evaluation.

Is enhanced recovery after surgery essential?

BACKGROUND

The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) method is designed for the patient to recover quickly, have less pain and have a more comfortable period after the surgery; that includes preoperative, intra and postoperative processes. ERAS has been started to be applied in cesarean section surgeries as the patients need to recover quickly. In the literature, there is no study about the results of ERAS in cesarean section about pain scores and complications.

OBJECTIVES

It is aimed to compare the results of cesarean section patients using the ERAS method completely in patients who have had cesarean section without meeting some of the postoperative conditions of the ERAS criteria.

STUDY DESIGN

It is a prospective study designed as postoperative metoclopramide, enema and routine opioids in group 1, enema and metoclopramide in group 2, metoclopramide only in group 3 and nothing in group 4. Postoperative pain scoring was done by using visual analog scale (VAS). Analysis of variance tests and t tests were used for results.

RESULTS

There was no difference between groups according to age, parity, and birth weight. As a result, although there was no difference between the groups in terms of discharge time and complications, the VAS score used in pain scoring was found to be significantly lower in group 3 compared to the other groups (p: 0.000). Only metoclopramide group (group 3) had lowest VAS score.

CONCLUSION

It has been revealed that the ERAS procedure does not need to be so detailed in the postoperative period, and the addition of metoclopramide may be sufficient. Since pain can be a subjective factor, other randomized studies are needed in terms of other criteria.

Intraoperative Enteral Nutrition Feeding in Free-Flap Healing after Reconstruction Surgery for Head and Neck Cancers

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the beneficial outcomes of intraoperative enteral feeding in free-flap regeneration after extended head and neck cancer resection and flap reconstruction surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

A pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

SETTING

Single tertiary care center.

METHODS

Patients with advanced head and neck cancers requiring radical tumor resections and free-flap reconstruction were randomly assigned to receive intraoperative enteral nutrition feeding (100 kcal/100 mL at 10-20 mL/h) via a nasogastric tube during free-flap reconstruction (n = 28) or continue fasting (n = 28). The primary outcome was impaired free-flap regeneration that required surgical reintervention within 90 days after the operation. Participants were enrolled between April 2020 and January 2022; the 90-day follow-up ended in April 2022.

RESULTS

The incidence of total or partial flap failure was similar between the 2 groups (14.2% or n = 4 in each group), but the rate of wound dehiscence or edge necrosis was significantly reduced in the feeding group (n = 6 vs 0 for fasting vs feeding; absolute risk reduction, 25.0% [95% confidence interval, 6.9-43.0]%; p = 0.022). Hospital stay length was shorter (p = 0.042) and hand grip strength was better preserved (p = 0.025) in the feeding group. Plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 after the operation increased significantly more in the fasting group. Perioperative adverse events did not differ between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative enteral feeding is a simple, safe, and effective approach to improve perioperative systemic catabolism and proinflammatory reactions, thereby enhancing early wound regeneration after major operations.

Efficacy of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program for Patients Undergoing Lobectomy for Lung Cancer: A Scoping Review and Single-Center Initial Result in Vietnam

Surgery for lung cancer can be invasive and the recovery process is often slow with many complications. To address this, the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program aims to minimize adverse clinical events for surgical patients. This is achieved through a multimodal perioperative care protocol that aims to preserve preoperative organ function and reduce postoperative complications. Initially applied to gastrointestinal surgery, this model has now been expanded to other major surgeries, including lung surgery. Through a review of seven retrospective and prospective cohort observational studies, we have examined the effects of the ERAS program on patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer treatment. Our analysis focused on outcomes such as length of stay, re-operation rate, re-admission rate, postoperative mortality, and costs, providing valuable insights into the real clinical practice setting. We also report on some initial results when applying ERAS at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City.

Construction of nursing care quality evaluation indicators for post-anaesthesia care unit in China

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To establish a set of scientific and practical nursing care quality evaluation indicators for PACU in China.

BACKGROUND

No unified nursing care quality evaluation indicators for post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) were found in China.

DESIGN

An international literature review, domestic cross-sectional survey and two-round e-Delphi study.

METHODS

The international literature review and domestic cross-sectional survey were conducted to identify the potential nursing care quality evaluation indicators for PACU. A total of 38 and 32 indicators were extracted from 24 articles and the cross-sectional survey respectively. Two rounds of e-Delphi study were conducted to collect opinions from a panel of 20 independent experts and establish the final version of the nursing care quality evaluation indicators for PACU. A GRRAS checklist was used to guide the reporting of this study.

RESULTS

Of 20 experts, 19 completed the first round of e-Delphi study and 18 completed the second round, with a response rate of 95% and 90% respectively. The experts' authority coefficient in the two rounds of e-Delphi study was 0.91 and 0.90 respectively. The Kendall W value of the two rounds ranged between 0.108 and 0.385 (p < .01). Four structure indicators, 12 process indicators and seven outcome indicators were included in the nursing care quality evaluation indicators for PACU.

CONCLUSIONS

With the methods of literature review, cross-sectional survey and e-Delphi study, we established a set of scientific and practical nursing care quality evaluation indicators for PACU, to improve the nursing care quality, reduce incidence of complications and ensure patient safety.

RELEVANT TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The findings from this study enable nurses and managers in PACU settings to evaluate clinical nursing care quality using a robust framework.

Cesarean delivery using an ERAS-CD process for nonopioid anesthesia and analgesia drug/medication management

Cesarean delivery (CD) is a surgical delivery of a neonate with surgical access through the maternal abdominal and uterine structures. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol is a standardized perioperative care program and surgery quality improvement process that has had global spread across numerous surgical disciplines. The medical and surgical use of opioids for pain management and the nonmedical opioid use, over the last three decades, have significantly increased the prevalence of abuse and addiction to opioids. This review summarizes pain, pregnancy substance use, and ERAS-directed analgesia and anesthesia for opioid use reduction or elimination in the operative and postoperative periods. Enhanced recovery (quality and safety) in the surgical CD context requires collaboration, consensus, and appropriate clinical prioritization to allow for the identification of 'the right patient, in the right clinical situation, with the right informed consent, and the right clinical care team and health system'.

The outcome of enhanced recovery after surgery vs. a traditional pathway in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery: A retrospective comparative study

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Systematic review and meta-analysis of safety and efficacy of early enteral nutrition as an isolated component of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery [ERAS] in children after bowel anastomosis surgery

BACKGROUND

Postoperative feeding practices are not uniform in children undergoing bowel anastomosis surgery. Primary aim of this review was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of early enteral nutrition (EEN) as an isolated component of enhanced recovery in children undergoing bowel anastomosis surgery.

METHODS

Medical search engines (PubMed, CENTRAL, Google scholar) were accessed from inception to January 2021. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT)s, non-randomized controlled trials, observational studies and retrospective studies comparing EEN, initiated within 48 h vs late enteral nutrition (LEN), initiated after 48 h in children ≤ 18 years undergoing bowel anastomosis surgery were included. Primary outcome measure was the incidence of postoperative complications (anastomotic leak, abdominal distension, surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, vomiting and septic complications). Secondary outcome measures were the time to passage of first feces and the length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Twelve hundred and eighty-six children from 10 studies were included in this review. No difference was seen between the EEN and LEN groups in the incidence of anastomotic leak (1.69% vs 4.13%; p = 0.06), abdominal distention (13.87% vs 12.31%; p = 0.57), wound dehiscence (3.07% vs 2.69%; p = 0.69) or vomiting (8.11% vs 8.67%; p = 0.98). The incidence of surgical site infections (7.51% vs 11.72%; p = 0.04), septic complications (14.02% vs 26.22%; p = 0.02) as well as pooled overall complications (8.11% vs 11.27%; RR 0.71; 95% CI = 0.56 to 0.89; p = 0.003; I² = 33%) were significantly lower in the EEN group. The time to passage of first feces (MD - 17.23 h; 95% CI -23.13 to -11.34; p < 0.00001; I² = 49%) and the length of hospital stay (MD -2.95 days; 95% CI -3.73 to -2.17; p < 0.00001; I² = 93%) were significantly less in the EEN group.

CONCLUSION

EEN is safe and effective in children following bowel anastomosis surgery and is associated with a lower overall incidence of complications as compared to LEN. EEN also promotes early bowel recovery and hospital discharge. However, further well designed RCTs are required to validate these findings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V.

Do the Fluids Consumed by Surgical Patients in the Postoperative Period Affect Their Gastrointestinal Motility?: A Correlational Study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between gastrointestinal (GI) motility and oral fluid intake levels in the postoperative period.

DESIGN

This descriptive and correlational study was performed in an education and research hospital between June and September 2019.

METHODS

The sample in this study consisted of individuals aged 18 to 80 years who had undergone laparoscopic abdominal surgery. No sampling was performed, and all patients volunteering to take part were included.

FINDINGS

Patients were started on oral nutrition in a median of 6 hours (min: 6 max: 8) after surgery and received 500.00 mL (min: 100 max: 500) oral fluid on the first day after surgery, 600.00 mL (min: 200 max: 1200) on the second, and 725.00 mL (min: 652.47 max: 759.52) on the third. Median time to passage of flatus was 22.50 hours (min: 6 max: 36), and median time to stool production was 39.00 hours (min: 16 max: 70). A positive correlation was found between the amount of oral fluid consumption on the first day and time to passage of flatus, while a negative correlation was observed between the amount of fluid consumption on the second day and time to both flatus and stool production.

CONCLUSIONS

Time to flatus production increased in line with the amount of fluid consumed via the oral route on the first day postoperatively, while times to production of flatus and stool decreased as the amount of fluid consumed orally on the second day increased.

A Scientometric Analysis and Visualization Discovery of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery

Background

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), a new clinical surgical concept, has been applied in many surgical disciplines with good clinical results for the past 20 years. Bibliometric analysis is an effective method to quantitatively evaluate the academic productivity. This report aimed to perform a scientometric analysis of the ERAS research status and research hotspots.

Methods

Comprehensive scientific mapping analysis of a wide range of literature metadata using the scientometric tools, including the Bibliometrix R Package, Biblioshiny, and CiteSpace. Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database of original articles from 2001 to 2020. Specific indicators and maps were analyzed to show the co-authorship, co-institute, co-country, co-citation, and international cooperation. Automatic literature screening, unsupervised cluster filtering, and topic cluster identification methods were used to display the conceptual framework and thematic evolution.

Results

A total of 1,403 research projects drafted by 6,966 authors and published in 413 sources were found. There was an exponential growth in the number of publications on ERAS. There were 709 collaborations between authors from different countries, and the US, China, and the UK had the greatest number of publications. The WORLD JOURNAL OF SURGERY, located in Bradford’s Law 1, had the highest number of published articles (n = 1,276; total citations = 3,193). CiteSpace network analysis revealed 15 highly correlated cluster ERAS studies, and the earliest study was on colonic surgery, and ERAS was recently applied in cardiac surgery. The etiology of ERAS is constantly evolving, with surgery and length of hospital as the main topics. Meta-analyses and perioperative care have tended to decline.

Conclusion

This is the first scientometric analysis of ERAS to provide descriptive quantitative indicators. This can provide a better understanding of how the field has evolved over the past 20 years, help identify research trends, and provide insights and research directions for academic researchers, policymakers, and medical practitioners who want to collaborate in these areas in the future.

Retrospective Data Analysis for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol for Elderly Patients with Long-Level Lumbar Fusion

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for spinal surgery is new; specifically, an ERAS program for elderly patients is lacking. Geriatric patients have special characteristics that result in further harm by surgical stress. ERAS interventions are designed to improve recovery after surgery and can result in substantial benefits in clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness. We aimed to determine whether ERAS significantly improved satisfaction and outcomes in elderly patients with long-level lumbar fusion.

METHODS

Patients >70 years old with lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spinal stenosis who underwent lumbar fusion of ≥3 levels from July 2019 to June 2021 (ERAS group) and from January 2018 to June 2019 (non-ERAS group) were enrolled. Demographic, comorbidity, and surgical data were collected from electronic medical records. ERAS interventions were categorized as preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative. We also evaluated primary outcome, surgical complications, and length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS

The study included 154 patients, 72 in the ERAS group and 82 case-matched patients in the non-ERAS group. Overall, ERAS pathway compliance was 91%. There were no significant differences in readmission and mortality rates at 30-day follow-up between the ERAS and non-ERAS groups. Statistically significant decreases were observed in the ERAS group in complications (6 in ERAS group vs. 19 in non-ERAS group, P = 0.013) and LOS (17.74 ± 5.56 days in ERAS group vs. 22.13 ± 12.21 days in non-ERAS group, P = 0.041). Multivariable linear regression showed that implementation of ERAS (P = 0.002) was correlated with LOS. Multivariable logistic regression showed that implementation of ERAS (P = 0.004) was correlated with complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The ERAS protocol used in elderly patients after long-level lumbar fusion surgery was safe and associated with incremental benefits regarding complications and LOS.

Citation analysis on the research frontiers and evolution of enhanced recovery after surgery

AIMS

To evaluate the research frontiers and evolution laws in the field of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and to predict the next direction of development.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the clinical applications of ERAS have been widely recognized by the medical community. Nursing work is present throughout the entire process, and nurses not only play a role in multidisciplinary coordination, but also maintain independent professional characteristics.

METHODS

The citation analysis method was used to analyze the research documents in the Web of Science database over the last 10 years.

RESULTS

The number of documents in the field published from 2011 to 2020 increased annually. The application in colorectal surgery was the most important research frontier. From 2016 to 2020, the research frontiers were diversified. The application in colorectal surgery remains the most important research frontier, and perioperative nursing will play an important role in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

This study used citation analysis to analyze the research frontiers and evolution of ERAS in the last 10 years.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

This research will help nursing managers to carry out research and clinical promotion plans in the ERAS field and guide the transformation of scientific research achievements into nursing practice.

The Association between Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery after Cesarean Pathway with Standardized Discharge Prescriptions and Opioid Use and Pain Experience after Cesarean Delivery

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed to evaluate opioid use after cesarean delivery (CD) and to assess implementation of an enhanced recovery after CD (ERAS-CD) pathway and its association with inpatient and postdischarge pain control and opioid use.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a baseline survey of women who underwent CD from January to March 2017 at a single, urban academic hospital. Patients were called 5 to 8 days after discharge and asked about their pain and postdischarge opioid use. An ERAS-CD pathway was implemented as a quality improvement initiative, including use of nonopioid analgesia and standardization of opioid discharge prescriptions to ≤25 tablets of oxycodone of 5 mg. From November to January 2019, a postimplementation survey was conducted to assess the association between this initiative and patients' pain control and postoperative opioid use, both inpatient and postdischarge.

RESULTS

Data were obtained from 152 women preimplementation (PRE) and 137 women post-implementation (POST); complete survey data were obtained from 102 women PRE and 98 women POST. The median inpatient morphine milligram equivalents consumed per patient decreased significantly from 141 [range: 90-195] PRE to 114 [range: 45-168] POST (p = 0.002). On a 0- to 10-point scale, median patient-reported pain scores at discharge decreased significantly (PRE: 7 [range: 5-8] vs. POST 5 [range: 3-7], p < 0.001). The median number of pills consumed after discharge also decreased significantly (PRE: 25 [range: 16-30] vs. POST 17.5 [range: 4-25], p = 0.001). The number of pills consumed was significantly associated with number prescribed (p < 0.001). The median number of leftover pills and number of refills did not significantly differ between groups. Median patient-reported pain scores at the week after discharge were lower in the POST group (PRE: 4 [range: 2-6] vs. POST 3[range: 1-5], p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Implementing an ERAS-CD pathway was associated with a significant decrease in inpatient and postdischarge opioid consumption while improving pain control. Our data suggest that even fewer pills could be prescribed for some patients.

KEY POINTS

· An ERAS-CD pathway was associated with decreased opioid use.. · Outpatient opioid consumption after cesarean warrants further study.. · Physician prescribing drives patients' opioid consumption..

Enhanced recovery after surgery improves short-term outcomes in patients undergoing esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a perioperative management protocol that aims to accelerate patient recovery. This study aimed to evaluate its benefits in patients with resectable esophageal cancer.

METHODS

This retrospective study compared patients before (January 2013 to December 2016) and after (June 2018 to December 2020) ERAS protocol implementation in our hospital. A propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis was used to compare short-term surgical outcomes between ERAS and non-ERAS groups. After PSM, each group included 243 patients.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in hospital length of stay after surgery (7.40 vs. 11.17 days, P<.001) and hospitalization cost (¥69380 vs. ¥78075, P<.001) between the ERAS and non-ERAS groups. The time to chest tube removal (4.91 vs. 7.16 days, P<.001) and first bowel movement (2.87 vs. 3.97 days, P<.001) was significantly shorter in the ERAS group. However, there was no significant difference in total postoperative complication morbidity (20.2% vs. 25.1%, P=0.193). The complication of postoperative atelectasis or pneumonia was significantly lower in the ERAS group (P=0.003), but there was no significant difference in occurrence of ≥Grade III complications between the two groups (12.3% vs. 11.5%, P=0.889).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that ERAS could reduce the hospital stay, numerical pain scores, and hospitalization costs without increasing postoperative complication and readmission. Furthermore, subgroup analyses revealed that ERAS was safe for older people (>70 years old).

Perioperative nursing principles guided by the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery†

Objective

To explore the clinical effect of perioperative nursing guided by the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery and summarize them.

Methods

Pubmed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Wanfang Database, and VIP Database were searched to obtain the relevant literature involving enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) guidance, obtain the effective clinical data, review the reports in literature, and obtain the effective scheme.

Results

Compared with the traditional nursing program, perioperative nursing principles guided by the concept of ERAS provide more accurate nursing care to patients and reduce the occurrence of intraoperative stress events through comprehensive nursing measures such as preoperative pre-rehabilitation measures, intraoperative body temperature and fluid management, postoperative analgesia, prevention of nausea and vomiting, early mobilization, catheter nursing, and better out-of-hospital follow-up.

Conclusions

Perioperative nursing principles guided by the concept of ERAS can significantly reduce the incidence of perioperative complications, shorten the hospital stay of patients, and promote postoperative rehabilitation of patients. The transformation and implementation of this concept can bring significant benefits to hospitals, medical care, and patients.

Ultrasound guided lateral quadratus lumborum block enhanced recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lateral quadratus lumborum block (QLB) on postoperative pain and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients between 18 and 70 years old, diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II, and scheduled for laparoscopic colorectal surgery were recruited. Patients were excluded if they were allergic to local anesthetics and unable to complete the procedure of puncture or follow-up evaluation. All included patients were randomly allocated to either QLB or Sham group. The primary outcome was perioperative cumulative sufentanil consumption.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the groups in anesthetic time, operation time, dosage of propofol, and remifentanil (P ​> ​0.05). Patients in the QLB group had significantly less sufentanil consumption both intraoperatively and postoperatively, compared with the Sham group (P ​< ​0.05). Postoperative VAS pain scores on coughing in the QLB group at 2 ​h, 6 ​h, 12 ​h, 24 ​h time points and VAS pain score at rest 2 ​h, 6 ​h after surgery were significantly lower than in the Sham group (P ​< ​0.05). Compared with the Sham group, time to first ambulation and anal flatus after surgery in the QLB group were significantly shorter (P ​< ​0.05). Significant differences of postoperative rescue analgesic usage and QoR-15 score at 48 ​h were found between the two groups (P ​< ​0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided lateral QLB significantly reduced perioperative opioid consumption, alleviated postoperative pain, shortened the time to first ambulation and anal flatus, and enhanced postoperative recovery of the patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Clinical application of enhanced recovery after surgery in the treatment of choledocholithiasis by ERCP

This study aims to investigate the effect of applying enhanced recovery after surgery methods (ERAS) in perioperative nursing of choledocholithiasis following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for treatment of biliary calculus.Clinical data from 161 patients who underwent ERCP surgery in Wuhan Union Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 78 patients received perioperative nursing using the ERAS concept (experimental group) and 83 patients received conventional perioperative nursing (control group). Group differences were compared for the time to first postoperative ambulation, exhausting time, time to first defecation and eating, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complication incidence (pancreatitis, cholangitis, hemorrhage), white blood cell (WBC), and serum amylase (AMS) values at 24 hours, duration of nasobiliary duct indwelling, length of hospital stay, and hospitalization expenses.No significant between-group differences were noted for demographic characteristics (age, sex, BMI, ASA score, and comorbidity) (P > .05). Time to first ambulation, exhausting time, time to defecation and eating, and nasobiliary drainage time were shorter in the experimental group than the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < .05). There was no significant between-group difference in postoperative WBC values at 24 hours (P > .05), but the experimental group's AMS values at 24 hours postoperation were significantly lower than those of the controls (154.93 ± 190.01 vs 241.97 ± 482.64, P = .031). Postoperative complications incidence was 9.1% in the experimental group, which was significantly lower than the 20.4% in the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (P = .039). Compared with the control group, nasobiliary drainage time (26.53 ± 7.43 hours vs 37.56 ± 9.91 hours, P < .001), hospital stay (8.32 ± 1.55 days vs 4.56 ± 1.38 days, P < .001), and hospitalization expenses (36800 ± 11900 Yuan vs 28900 ± 6500 Yuan, P = .016) were significantly lower in the experimental group.ERAS is a safe and effective perioperative nursing application in ERCP for treating choledocholithiasis. It can effectively accelerate patients' recovery and reduce the incidence of complications; therefore, it is worthy of being applied and promoted in clinical nursing.

Prolonged preoperative fasting induces postoperative insulin resistance by ER-stress mediated Glut4 down-regulation in skeletal muscles

Preoperative fasting aims to prevent pulmonary aspiration and improve bowel preparation, but it may induce profound systemic catabolic responses that lead to protein breakdown and insulin-resistant hyperglycemia after operation. However, the molecular mechanisms of catabolic reaction induced by prolonged preoperative fasting and surgical stress are undetermined. In this study, anesthetized rats were randomly assigned to receive a sham operation or laparotomy cecectomy. Fasting groups were restricted from food and water for 12 h before operation, while the feeding group had free access to food throughout the study period. Twenty-four hours after operation, the animals were sacrificed to collect blood samples and soleus muscles for analysis. Postoperative blood glucose level was significantly increased in the fasting group with elevated serum insulin and C-peptide. Continuous feeding reduced serum myoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase concentrations. Preoperative fasting activated inositol-requiring transmembrane kinase/endoribonuclease (IRE)-1α and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress, and reduced glucose transporter type 4 (Glut4) expression in the soleus muscle. Phospholamban phosphorylation was reduced and intracellular calcium levels were increased in the isolated skeletal muscle cells. Similar results were found in ER stress-induced C1C12 myoblasts. The expression of Glut4 was suppressed in the stressed C1C12, but was potentiated following inhibition of ER stress and chelation of intracellular free calcium. This study provides evidence demonstrating that prolonged preoperative fasting induces ER stress and generates insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle through suppression of Glut4 and inactivation of Ca²⁺-ATPase, leading to intracellular calcium homeostasis disruption and peripheral insulin resistance.

An Optimized Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Pathway Improved Patient Care in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

An optimized Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program is lacking for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact and feasibility of an optimized ERAS pathway in patients with surgically treated AIS.

METHODS

In total, 79 patients with AIS who underwent corrective surgery without 3-column osteotomy were recruited from Xijing Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University between 2012 and 2018. Forty-four patients were treated according to a traditional protocol and 35 were managed using an optimized ERAS pathway, which was designed and implemented by a multidisciplinary team. The following data were collected and retrospectively analyzed, demographic characteristics, Cobb angle, curve type (Lenke), surgical duration, fusion level, correction rate, estimated blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin level, postoperative pain score, pain relief time, hemovac drainage, drainage removal time, first ambulation time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the traditional and ERAS groups with respect to demographic characteristics, Cobb angle, curve type (Lenke), fusion level, and correction rate. However, the ERAS group had a shorter surgical duration, less blood loss and hemovac drainage, a higher postoperative hemoglobin level, and earlier pain relief, ambulation, and discharge. The rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting were lower in the ERAS group than in the traditional group.

CONCLUSIONS

The ERAS pathway is capable of improving the perioperative status of patients with AIS by offering stronger analgesia, faster ambulation, and earlier discharge.

Enhanced recovery after surgery pathway in patients with soft tissue sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing surgery for soft tissue sarcoma have high morbidity rates, particularly after preoperative radiation therapy (RT). An enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme may improve perioperative outcomes in abdominal surgery. This study reported outcomes of an ERAS programme tailored to patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

METHODS

A prospective ERAS protocol was implemented in 2015 at a high-volume sarcoma centre. Patients treated within the ERAS programme from 2015 to 2018 were case-matched retrospectively with patients treated between 2012 and 2018 without use of the protocol, matched by surgical site, surgeon, sarcoma histology and preoperative RT treatment. Postoperative outcomes, specifically wound complications and duration of hospital stay, were reported.

RESULTS

In total, 234 patients treated within the ERAS programme were matched with 237 who were not. The ERAS group had lower wound dehiscence rates overall (2 of 234 (0·9 per cent) versus 31 of 237 (13·1 per cent); P < 0·001), after preoperative RT (0 of 41 versus 11 of 51; P = 0·004) and after extremity sarcoma surgery (0 of 54 versus 6 of 56; P = 0·040) compared with the non-ERAS group. Rates of postoperative ileus or obstruction were lower in the ERAS group (21 of 234 (9·9 per cent) versus 40 of 237 (16·9 per cent); P = 0·016) and in those with retroperitoneal sarcoma (4 of 36 versus 15 of 36; P = 0·007). Duration of hospital stay was shorter in the ERAS group (median 5 (range 0-36) versus 6 (0-67) days; P = 0·003).

CONCLUSION

Treatment within an ERAS protocol for patients with soft tissue sarcoma was associated with lower morbidity and shorter hospital stay.

Who tolerates early enteral feeding after colorectal surgery?

BACKGROUND

Early enteral feeding and avoidance of routine nasogastric tube (NGT) placement have become standard care following colorectal surgery. However, some patients require NGT decompression post-operatively for vomiting or distension.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing elective intra-abdominal colorectal surgery at University Hospital, Geelong, from 2014 to 2018. Failure of early feeding was defined by the placement of an NGT post-operatively, beyond the day of surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 754 patients were identified. Of these, 28 were excluded due to protocol violations (NGT was left in situ at the end of the operation), leaving 726 patients that were included in the analysis. Overall, 156/726 (21%) patients failed early feeding. The strongest independent predictor of failure was undergoing a total or subtotal colectomy compared with all other operations (15/28 (54%) failed versus 141/698 (20%); P < 0.001). Laparoscopic surgery was independently associated with a lower risk of failure compared with open surgery (43/278 (15%) versus 113/448 (25%); P = 0.002). Risk of failure was not associated with gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, indication for procedure, presence of anastomosis or duration of surgery.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgery is associated with a lower risk of failure of early feeding compared with open surgery. Patients undergoing subtotal or total colectomy have a high rate (54%) of failure. This may assist in selecting appropriate patients for early feeding after colorectal surgery.

Effect of Preoperative Nutritional Risk Screening on Postoperative Recovery in Patients with Laparoscopic-Assisted Radical Resection for Colorectal Cancer

Results

There were statistically significant differences in BMI, albumin, total cholesterol, and lymphocyte count between patients from the two groups (all P < 0.05). There was no difference in the incidence rate of postoperative complications between the two groups, but there was a statistically significant difference in the total number of complications (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding abdominal drainage volume, exhaust (flatus) time, hospitalization cost, morbidity, or 60 d readmission rate (all P > 0.05). However, patients with nutritional risk had higher postoperative blood transfusion volumes, albumin infusions, weight difference before and after surgery, and postoperative hospital stays than the nonnutritional risk group (all P < 0.05). Smoking, diabetes, and preoperative nutritional risk were the risk factors by the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Conclusions

The postoperative complication rate was increased, and the short-term efficacy was decreased in the preoperative nutritional risk group compared with those without nutritional risk.

Perioperative Pain Management Strategies in the Age of an Opioid Epidemic

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services 2016 and 2017 data, an estimated 130 people per day died from opioid-related drug overdoses; 42,249 people died from overdosing on opioids; and 2.1 million people had opioid-use disorder. Health care organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American College of Surgeons, and the American Medical Association have information related to pain management and/or the opioid epidemic on their Web sites. It is imperative for health care providers to be cognizant of, and use low-dose opioid/opioid-free pain management therapies. This article reviews the pain process and outlines low-dose opioid/opioid-free pain management modalities.

Renin-angiotensin system blocker use and the risk of acute kidney injury after colorectal cancer surgery: a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVES

It is unknown whether preoperative use of ACE inhibitors (ACE-I) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) affects the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. We assessed the impact of preoperative ACE-I/ARB use on risk of AKI after CRC surgery.

DESIGN

Observational cohort study. Patients were divided into three exposure groups-current, former and non-users-through reimbursed prescriptions within 365 days before the surgery. AKI within 7 days after surgery was defined according to the current Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome consensus criteria.

SETTING

Population-based Danish medical databases.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 9932 patients undergoing incident CRC surgery during 2005-2014 in northern Denmark were included through the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group Database.

OUTCOME MEASURE

We computed cumulative incidence proportions (risk) of AKI with 95% CIs for current, former and non-users of ACE-I/ARB, including death as a competing risk. We compared current and former users with non-users by computing adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) using log-binomial regression adjusted for demographics, comorbidities and CRC-related characteristics. We stratified the analyses of ACE-I/ARB users to address any difference in impact within relevant subgroups.

RESULTS

Twenty-one per cent were ACE-I/ARB current users, 6.4% former users and 72.3% non-users. The 7-day postoperative AKI risk for current, former and non-users was 26.4% (95% CI 24.6% to 28.3%), 25.2% (21.9% to 28.6%) and 17.8% (17.0% to 18.7%), respectively. The aRRs of AKI were 1.20 (1.09 to 1.32) and 1.16 (1.01 to 1.34) for current and former users, compared with non-users. The relative risk of AKI in current compared with non-users was consistent in all subgroups, except for higher aRR in patients with a history of hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Being a current or former user of ACE-I/ARBs is associated with an increased risk of postoperative AKI compared with non-users. Although it may not be a drug effect, users of ACE-I/ARBs should be considered a risk group for postoperative AKI.

Nutrition in surgical patients: how soon is too soon?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Preoperative nutrition support has been extensively studied; however, data on the timing of postoperative nutrition initiation are scarce. The current review focuses on the importance of early nutritional support in surgical patients and their impact on outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Early nutrition support during the postoperative course may be the most important step that can be taken toward preventing subsequent malnutrition-related complications. European Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition guidelines recommends early nutrition to improve outcomes after surgery and accelerates the recovery. Moreover, nutritional support should be personalized, and disease process-based.

SUMMARY

Existing studies appear to focus mostly on abdominal and gastrointestinal surgery. Further prospective observational and randomized clinical trials across different surgical populations will aid surgeons to better understand how early feeds in either form can reduce morbidity, quality of life, and increase recovery rates.

Guidelines for postoperative care in cesarean delivery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society recommendations (part 3)

BACKGROUND

This Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guideline for postoperative care in cesarean delivery will provide best practice, evidenced-based recommendations for postoperative care with primarily a maternal focus.

OBJECTIVE

The pathway process for scheduled and unscheduled cesarean delivery for this Enhanced Recovery After Surgery cesarean delivery guideline will consider time from completion of cesarean delivery until maternal hospital discharge.

STUDY DESIGN

The literature search (1966-2017) used Embase and PubMed to search medical subject headings that included "Cesarean Section," "Cesarean Delivery," "Cesarean Section Delivery," and all postoperative Enhanced Recovery After Surgery items. Study selection allowed titles and abstracts to be screened by individual reviewers to identify potentially relevant articles. Metaanalyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled studies, nonrandomized controlled studies, reviews, and case series were considered for each individual topic. Quality assessment and data analyses evaluated the quality of evidence, and recommendations were evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system as used and described in previous Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guidelines.

RESULTS

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery cesarean delivery guideline/pathway has created a pathway for postoperative care. Specifics include sham feeding, nausea and vomiting prevention, postoperative analgesia, nutritional care, glucose control, thromboembolism prophylaxis, early mobilization, urinary drainage, and discharge counseling. A number of elements of postoperative care of women who undergo cesarean delivery are recommended, based on the evidence.

CONCLUSION

As the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery cesarean delivery pathway (elements/processes) are studied, implemented, audited, evaluated, and optimized by the maternity care teams, there will be an opportunity for focused and optimized areas of care and recommendations to be further enhanced.

[Postoperative low-dose sufentanil combined with transversus abdominis plane block promotes recovery following laparoscopic hysterectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of postoperative analgesia with low-dose sufentanil combined with transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and with sufentanil alone in promoting patients'recovery following laparoscopic hysterectomy.

METHODS

Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy in our hospital between September, 2016 and August, 2017 were randomly allocated into two equal groups. In group A, the patients were given postoperative analgesia with 1 μg/kg sufentanil, 9.96 mg tropisetronmesylate, and 200 mg flurbiprofen axetil (diluted with 0.9% NaCl solution to 100 mL, pumped at the rate of 2 mL/h) combined with TAP block; in group B, the patients received similar postoperative analgesia but at a higher dose of sufentanil (2 μg/kg) without TAP block. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain at 15 min and at 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h postoperatively, and the first off-bed time, the length of postoperative hospital stay and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were recorded in all the patients.

RESULTS

Compared with those in group B, the patients in group A had significantly lower VAS scores at 15 min, 4 h, 8 h, and 12 h postoperatively (P &lt; 0.01) with also statistically shorter first off-bed time and postoperative hospital stay (P &lt; 0.01). Two (6.7%) patients in group A had mild PONV, and 6 (20.0%) in group B had PONV (including 4 with mild and 2 with moderate PONV).

CONCLUSIONS

Lowdose sufentanil combined with TAP block is effective for postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic hysterectomy and helps to reduce the incidence of PONV and shorten the first off-bed time and postoperative hospital stay to promote the recovery of the patients.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: Is It Time to Change Our Strategy Regarding Laparoscopic Colectomy?

Enhanced recovery after surgery or 'fast-track' methods are evidence-based protocols designed to standardize post-operative medical care, improve patient outcomes, promote early recovery, and reduce healthcare expenditure. Fast-track surgery is a multifunctional concept involving pre-, peri- and post-operative measures aiming to reduce the length of hospital stay and morbidity and complication rates, following elective abdominal surgery. Through the optimization of peri-operative care and the recovery process in adherence to these fast-track protocols, improved outcomes are reached, surgical trauma and post-operative stress are reduced, with less surgical pain, reduced complications, and shorter length of hospital stay. Fast-track care requires a multidisciplinary collaboration of all healthcare professionals, as well as a high rate of protocol compliance and a good organizational structure. Despite the existing evidence of the benefits of fast-track protocols in a variety of surgical procedures and the similar outcomes of laparoscopic colonic surgery compared to open surgery, clear evidence of the benefits of fast-track care after laparoscopic colonic surgery is yet to be clearly demonstrated.

Identifying Geriatric Patients at Risk for Malnutrition: A Quality Improvement Project

Malnourishment leads to poor outcomes in the geriatric surgical population and national guidelines recommend preoperative nutrition screening. However, care practices do not reflect current recommendations. As a quality-improvement project, a validated nutritional screening tool, the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF), was implemented in the preoperative clinic of a large academic health center to identify patients at-risk for malnutrition prior to elective surgery. Patients were screened during the nursing intake process and categorized as no nutritional risk; at-risk for malnourishment; or severely malnourished. During the four-week screening period, 413 patients met inclusion criteria with 67.8% (n = 280) screened. No nutritional risk was identified in 77.5% (n = 215) of patients, 18.2% (n = 51) were at-risk, and 4.3% (n = 12) were malnourished. This project will inform and guide a prehabilitation plan for nutrition optimization to improve healthcare quality, outcomes, and costs in the geriatric surgical population.

Preoperative nutritional optimization of esophageal cancer patients

Optimization of the nutritional and metabolic state prior to major surgery leads to improved surgical outcomes and is increasingly seen as an important part of oncology disease management. For locally advanced esophageal cancer the treatment is multimodal, including neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy or perioperative chemotherapy in combination with esophageal resection. Patients undergoing such a multimodal treatment have a higher risk for progressive decline in their nutritional status. Preoperative malnutrition and loss of skeletal muscle mass has been reported to correlate with unfavorable outcomes in patients who undergo esophageal cancer surgery. Decline in nutritional status is most likely caused by insufficient nutritional intake, reduced physical activity, systemic inflammation and the effects of anticancer therapy. To ensure an optimal nutritional status prior to surgery, it is key to assess the nutritional status in all preoperative esophageal cancer patients, preferable early in the treatment trajectory, and to apply nutritional interventions accordingly. Nutritional management of esophageal cancer can be challenging, the optimal nutritional therapy is still under debate, and warrants more nutritional scientific research. In this review, the most recent findings regarding preoperative nutrition associated with outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer will be explored.

Exploring the Differences Between Early and Traditional Diet Advancement in Postoperative Feeding Outcomes in Patients With an Ileostomy or Colostomy

BACKGROUND

We assessed the differences in postoperative feeding outcomes when comparing early and traditional diet advancement in patients who had an ostomy creation.

METHODS

At a U.S. tertiary care hospital, data from patients who underwent an ileostomy or colostomy creation from June 1, 2013, to April 30, 2017 were extracted from an institutional database. Patients who received early diet advancement (postoperative days 0 and 1) were compared with traditional diet advancement (postoperative day 2 and later) for demographics, preoperative risk factors, and operative features. The postoperative feeding outcomes included time to first flatus and ostomy output. Mann-Whitney U tests determined bivariate differences in postoperative feeding outcomes between groups. Poisson regression was used to adjust for unequal baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

Data from 255 patients were included; 204 (80.0%) received early diet advancement, and 51 (20.0%) had traditional diet advancement. Time to first flatus and time to first ostomy output were significantly shorter in the early compared with traditional diet advancement group (median difference of 1 day for both flatus and ostomy output, P < 0.001). Adjusting for baseline group differences (American Society for Anesthesiology Physical Status Classification System, surgical approach, resection and ostomy type) maintained the significant findings for both time to first flatus (β = 1.32, P = 0.01) and time to first ostomy output (β = 1.41, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Early diet advancement is associated with earlier return of flatus and first ostomy output compared with traditional diet advancement after the creation of an ileostomy or colostomy.

GLP1 Receptor Agonist Liraglutide Is an Effective Therapeutic Option for Perioperative Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes within Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols

BACKGROUND

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are multimodal perioperative care pathways designed to achieve early recovery after surgical procedures by maintaining preoperative organ function and reducing profound stress responses following surgery [Wilmore and Kehlet: BMJ 2001; 322(7284): 473-6]. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAgs), such as liraglutide, have recently been widely used as antidiabetic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) because they maintain blood glucose at an ideal level throughout the day, including during postprandial periods, thereby improving hypoglycemia and body weight more than insulin therapies. Additionally, the administration of liraglutide may exert cardiovascular, renal, and cerebral protective effects in T2D patients. The use of GLP-1RAgs for perioperative glycemic control is sometimes considered to be controversial.

METHODS

The efficacy and safety of liraglutide therapy during perioperative glycemic control in elective surgery patients within ERAS protocols were compared with those of insulin therapy. Ninety adult T2D patients scheduled to undergo elective surgery within ERAS protocols were randomized and analyzed. Forty-nine subjects were prescribed liraglutide and 41 insulin therapy. Procedures comprised orthopedic, thoracic, urological, otolaryngological, hepatic resection, and gynecological breast surgeries.

RESULTS

Liraglutide was shown to be a more effective option than insulin therapy because (1) glycemic levels were more stable; (2) the number of patients requiring additional insulin according to the insulin sliding scale was significantly smaller (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.005); (3) the insulin dosage required on the day of surgery was significantly smaller (Fisher's exact, p = 0.004); (4) the additional insulin volume required was significantly less for patients throughout the perioperative period (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.001); and (5) while lean body mass remained the same, body fat measurements, particularly visceral fat, tended to decrease.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the present study and a recent large-scale clinical study showing cardiovascular and renal protective effects in T2D patients, we consider the administration of liraglutide within ERAS protocols for T2D patients to represent a more comprehensive suite of patient protection measures as a perioperative non-insulin agent, particularly in patients with limited exercise ability and those at risk of hypoglycemia.

Guidelines for intraoperative care in cesarean delivery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society Recommendations (Part 2)

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society guideline for intraoperative care in cesarean delivery will provide best practice, evidenced-based, recommendations for intraoperative care, with primarily a maternal focus. The "focused" pathway process for scheduled and unscheduled cesarean delivery for this Enhanced Recovery After Surgery cesarean delivery guideline will consider procedure from the decision to operate (starting with the 30-60 minutes before skin incision) through the surgery. The literature search (1966-2017) used Embase and PubMed to search medical subject headings including "cesarean section," "cesarean section," "cesarean section delivery," and all pre- and intraoperative Enhanced Recovery After Surgery items. Study selection allowed titles and abstracts to be screened by individual reviewers to identify potentially relevant articles. Metaanalyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled studies, nonrandomized controlled studies, reviews, and case series were considered for each individual topic. Quality assessment and data analyses evaluated the quality of evidence and recommendations were evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system as used and described in previous Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society guidelines. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery cesarean delivery guideline/pathway has created a maternal focused pathway (for scheduled and unscheduled surgery starting from 30-60 minutes before skin incision to maternal discharge) with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery-directed preoperative elements, intraoperative elements, and postoperative elements. Specifics of the intraoperative care included the use of prophylactic antibiotics before the cesarean delivery, appropriate patient warming intraoperatively, blunt expansion of the transverse uterine hysterotomy, skin closure with subcuticular sutures, and delayed cord clamping. A number of specific elements of intraoperative care of women who undergo cesarean delivery are recommended based on the evidence. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society guideline for intraoperative care in cesarean delivery will provide best practice, evidenced-based, recommendations for intraoperative care with primarily a maternal focus. When the cesarean delivery pathway (elements/processes) is studied, implemented, audited, evaluated, and optimized by maternity care teams, this will create an opportunity for the focused and optimized areas of care and recommendations to be further enhanced.

Guidelines for Antenatal and Preoperative care in Cesarean Delivery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society Recommendations (Part 1)

This Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Guideline for perioperative care in cesarean delivery will provide best practice, evidenced-based, recommendations for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases with, primarily, a maternal focus. The focused pathway process for scheduled and unscheduled cesarean delivery for this ERAS Cesarean Delivery Guideline will consider from the time from decision to operate (starting with the 30-60 minutes before skin incision) to hospital discharge. The literature search (1966-2017) used Embase and PubMed to search medical subject headings that included "Cesarean Section," "Cesarean Section," "Cesarean Section Delivery" and all pre- and intraoperative ERAS items. Study selection allowed titles and abstracts to be screened by individual reviewers to identify potentially relevant articles. Metaanalyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled studies, nonrandomized controlled studies, reviews, and case series were considered for each individual topic. Quality assessment and data analyses that evaluated the quality of evidence and recommendations were evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system, as used and described in previous ERAS Guidelines. The ERAS Cesarean Delivery Guideline/Pathway has created a maternal focused pathway (for scheduled and unscheduled surgery starting from 30-60 minutes before skin incision to maternal discharge) with ERAS cesarean delivery consensus recommendations preoperative elements (anesthetic medications, fasting, carbohydrate supplementation, prophylactic antibiotics/skin preparation, ), intraoperative elements (anesthetic management, maternal hypothermia prevention, surgical technique, hysterotomy creation and closure, management of peritoneum, subcutaneous space, and skin closure), perioperative fluid management, and postoperative elements (chewing gum, management of nausea and vomiting, analgesia, timing of food intake, glucose management, antithrombotic prophylaxis, timing of ambulation, urinary management, and timing of maternal and neonate discharge). Limited topics for optimized care and for antenatal education and counselling and the immediate neonatal needs at delivery are discussed. Strong recommendations for element use were given for preoperative (antenatal education and counselling, use of antacids and histamine, H2 receptor antagonists, 2-hour fasting and small meal within 6 hours surgery, antimicrobial prophylaxis and skin preparation/chlorhexidine-alcohol), intraoperative (regional anesthesia, prevention of maternal hypothermia [forced warm air, warmed intravenous fluids, room temperature]), perioperative (fluid management for euvolemia and neonatal immediate care needs that include delayed cord clamping), and postoperative (fluid management to prevent nausea and vomiting, antiemetic use, analgesia with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs/paracetamol, regular diet within 2 hours, tight capillary glucose control, pneumatic compression stocking for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, immediate removal of urinary catheter). Recommendations against the element use were made for preoperative (maternal sedation, bowel preparation), intraoperative (neonatal oral suctioning or increased inspired oxygen), and postoperative (heparin should not be used routinely venous thromboembolism prophylaxis). Because these ERAS cesarean delivery pathway recommendations (elements/processes) are studied, implemented, audited, evaluated, and optimized by the maternity care teams, this will create an opportunity for the focused and optimized areas of care research with further enhanced care and recommendation.

Immediate versus conventional postoperative tracheal extubation for enhanced recovery after liver transplantation: IPTE versus CTE for enhanced recovery after liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION

To systematically compare immediate postoperative tracheal extubation (IPTE) with conventional tracheal extubation (CTE) and to determine whether IPTE can achieve an enhanced recovery for adult patients underwent liver transplantation (LT) without additional risks. We designed a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

The RCTs, cohorts, case-controls, or case series that explored outcomes of IPTE after LT for adults were involved in our study. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies (n = 4144) were included, consisting of 10 studies (retrospective cohorts; n = 3387) for quantitative synthesis and 5 studies (1 prospective cohort, and 4 case series; n = 757) for qualitative synthesis. The pooled estimates suggested IPTE could reduce time to discharge from ICU stay (TDICU) (mean difference [MD] -2.12 days, 95% confidence interval [CI] -3.04 to -1.19 days), time to discharge from the hospital (TDH) (MD -6.43 days, 95% CI -9.53 to -3.33 days), re-intubation rate (RI) (odds ratio [OR] 0.29, 95% CI 0.22-0.39), morbidity rate (MR) (OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.08-0.30) and graft dysfunction rate (GD) (IPTE vs CTE: 0.3% vs 3.8%, P < .01), and had comparable ICU survival rate (ICUS) (OR 6.67 95% CI 1.34-33.35) when compared with CTE after LT.

CONCLUSIONS

IPTE can achieve an enhanced recovery for adult patients underwent LT without additional re-intubation, morbidity, and mortality risks. However, further work needs to be done to establish the extent definitively through carefully designed and conducted RCTs.

The Benefits of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Programs and Their Application in Cardiothoracic Surgery

The perioperative care of the surgical patient is undergoing a paradigm shift. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs are becoming the standard of care and best practice in many surgical specialties throughout the world. ERAS is a multimodal, multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to care of the surgical patient that aims to optimize perioperative management and outcomes. Implementation, however, has been slow because it challenges traditional surgical doctrine. The key elements of ERAS Pathways strive to reduce the response to surgical stress, decrease insulin resistance, and maintain anabolic homeostasis to help the patient return to baseline function more quickly. Data suggest that these pathways have produced not only improvements in clinical outcome and quality of care but also significant cost savings. Large trials reveal an increase in 5-year survival and a decrease in immediate complication rates when strict compliance is maintained with all pathway components. Years of success using ERAS in colorectal surgery have helped to establish a body of evidence through a number of randomized controlled trials that encourage application of these pathways in other surgical specialties.

Enhanced Recovery in Surgical Intensive Care: A Review

Patients are admitted to the surgical intensive care (SICU) unit after emergency and elective surgery. After elective surgery, for further support, or to manage coexisting comorbidities. The implementation of the ERAS (Enhanced recovery after surgery) protocols in surgery should decrease the need for ICU beds, but there will always be unpredicted complications after surgery. These will require individual management. What we can do for our surgical patients in ICU to further enhance their recovery? To promote early enhanced recovery in surgical intensive care—SICU, three areas need to be addressed, sedation, analgesia, and delirium. Tools for measurement and protocols for management in these three areas should be developed to ensure best practice in each SICU. The fourth important area is Nutrition. Preoperative screening and post-operative measurement of the state of nutrition also need to be developed in the SICU. The fifth important area is early mobilization. ERAS protocols encourage early mobilization of the critically ill patients, even if on mechanical ventilation. Early mobilization is possible and should be implemented by special multidisciplinary ICU team. All team members must be familiar with protocols to be able to implement them in their field of expertise. Personal and professional attitudes are critical for implementation. In the core of all our efforts should be the patient and his well-being.

Early oral feeding after colorectal surgery: A mixed methods study of knowledge translation

AIM

Evidence-based guidelines recommend early oral feeding (EOF) as prescription of an unrestricted diet within 24 hours after colorectal surgery. The present study aimed to understand local postoperative feeding practices after colorectal surgery; identify barriers to EOF implementation; select, tailor and implement stakeholder engagement strategies to facilitate EOF uptake; and evaluate changes to practice.

METHODS

A longitudinal, mixed methods study was undertaken, guided by the knowledge-to-action framework. Phase 1 assessed the nature of the problem using postoperative diet Audits 1 and 2. In Phase 2, staff interviews identified barriers to EOF implementation. Results from Phases 1 and 2 were fed back to inform Phase 3 strategies. Knowledge uptake was monitored in Audits 3 and 4. Phase 4 evaluated outcomes from Audit 5.

RESULTS

In Phase 1, median time to commencement of full diet was postoperative Days 4 and 3 in Audits 1 and 2, respectively. Phase 2 identified EOF barriers, including disparities in diet upgrade practices and variable understanding of hospital diets. In Phase 3, planned strategies were implemented to improve EOF (i) educational session describing local hospital diets; (ii) consultant decision to prescribe a full diet on operation notes; and (iii) educational sessions with nursing staff describing changes to EOF practice. In Phase 4, median time to commencement of full diet improved to postoperative Day 0. Patients prescribed a full diet on operation notes increased from 0% to 82%.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study successfully identified and overcame local barriers to improve EOF practices to align with guideline recommendations.

A more physiological feeding process in ICU: Intermittent infusion with semi-solid nutrients (CONSORT-compliant)

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study is to determine whether the application of semi-solid nutrients could increase the efficiency of the enteral nutrition (EN), which was measured daily by administered volume of nutrition/prescribed volume of nutrition.

METHODS

A total of 28 subjects were finally enrolled in the study and randomized to receive either intermittent feeding (IF) or intermittent feeding with semi-solid nutrients (IS). Three major parameters concerning EN were evaluated in this study: the daily dosage prescribed by doctor, the actual dosage received by subjects, and the acute complications such as diarrhea, vomiting, regurgitation, bowel distension, and lung infection.

RESULTS

There were no statistical differences in NRS-2002, and acute gastrointestinal injury between both groups. The IS group (0.98 ± 0.06, P < .01) could receive higher percentage of daily prescribed calories compared to IF (0.73 ± 0.15). The total caloric intake during the first 3 days was higher in IS (2589.29 ± 844.02 vs. 1685.71 ± 388.00, P < .01). The incidence of feeding intolerance (FI) was lower in the IS group (2/14) compared with IF (8/14). However, semi-solid nutrients did not decrease the length of stay, lung infection, or 30-day mortality. Similarly, there was no difference in glycemic variability and stress hyperglycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort of critically ill subjects, the efficiency of the EN was increased by IS, which might be related to the improvement of FI (NCT03017079).

Optimizing Nutrition for the Surgical Patient: An Evidenced Based Update to Dispel Five Common Myths in Surgical Nutrition Care

Traditional practices in the delivery of nutrition to the surgical patient include reliance on nonspecific laboratory markers to define malnutrition, prolonged periods of nil per os, early and liberal initiation of parenteral nutrition, withholding enteral feedings based on gastric residual volume measurements, and pursuing feeding tube access for most patients unable to take oral nutrition. However, recent studies call into question all of these practices. This review aims to provide evidenced-based support to abandon these myths regarding nutrition delivery and offer practical up-to-date advice for best practices in patient care.

Prospective study of enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in children undergoing reconstructive operations

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol is a set of peri-operative strategies to increase speed of recovery. ERAS is well established in adults but has not been well studied in children.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the current study was to establish the safety and efficacy of an ERAS protocol in pediatric urology patients undergoing reconstructive operations. It was hypothesized that ERAS would reduce length of stay and decrease complications when compared with historical controls.

STUDY DESIGN

Institutional Review Board approval was obtained to prospectively enroll patients aged <18 years if they had undergone urologic reconstruction that included a bowel anastomosis. ERAS included: no bowel preparation, administration of pre-operative oral carbohydrate liquid, avoidance of opioids, regional anesthesia, laparoscopy when feasible, no postoperative nasogastric tube, early feeding, and early removal of intravenous fluids (IVF). Recent (2009-2014) historical controls were propensity matched in a 2:1 ratio on age, sex, ventriculoperitoneal shunt status and whether the patient was undergoing bladder augmentation. Outcomes were protocol adherence, length of stay (LOS), emergency department (ED) visits, re-admission within 30 days, re-operations and adverse events occurring within 90 days of surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 26 historical and 13 ERAS patients were included. Median ages were 10.4 (IQR 8.0-12.4) and 9.9 years (IQR 9.1-11), respectively (P = 0.94) (see Summary Table). There were no significant between-group differences in prior abdominal surgery (38% vs 62%), rate of augmentation (88% vs 92%) or primary diagnosis of spina bifida (both 62%). ERAS significantly improved use of pre-operative liquid load (P < 0.001), avoidance of opioids (P = 0.046), early discontinuation of IVF (P < 0.001), and early feeding (P < 0.001). Protocol adherence improved from 8/16 (IQR 4-9) historically to 12/16 (IQR 11-12) after implementation of ERAS. LOS decreased from 8 days to 5.7 days (P = 0.520). Complications of any grade per patient decreased from 2.1 to 1.3 (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51-0.97). There were fewer complications per patient across all grades with ERAS. No differences were seen in emergency department (ED) visits, re-admissions and re-operations.

DISCUSSION

Implementation improved consistency of care delivered. Tenets of ERAS that appeared to drive improvements included maintenance of euvolemia through avoidance of excess fluids, multimodal analgesia, and early feeding.

CONCLUSION

ERAS decreased length of stay and 90-day complications after pediatric reconstructive surgery without increased re-admissions, re-operations or ED visits. A multicenter study will be required to confirm the potential benefits of adopting ERAS.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Surgical Care: Short Review of Research Publications in Osteopathic Journals During the Period 1990 to 2017

Background.

A growing trend in surgical care is the investigation and incorporation of multimodal interventions into standardized programs. Additionally, manual therapies such as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) are being used with patients in surgical care. Yet the scientific dialogue and the use of OMT in surgical care are currently insubstantial.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to present an overview of published research articles within the subject field of OMT in surgical care.

Method.

Summative review of peer-reviewed research articles published in osteopathic journals during the period 1990 to 2017. In total, 10 articles were identified.

Result.

Previous research has been conducted within the areas of abdominal, thoracic, gynecological, and/or orthopedic surgery with measured outcomes such as pain, analgesia consumption, length of hospital stay, and range of motion. Heterogeneity was identified in usage of osteopathic techniques, treatment duration, and occurrence, as well as in the treating osteopath’s experience.

Conclusion.

Despite the small number of research articles within this field, both positive measured effects as well as the absence of such effects were identified. Overall, there was a heterogeneity concerning surgical contexts, diagnoses, signs and symptoms, as well as surgical phases in current interprofessional osteopathic publications. In this era of multimodal surgical care, we argue that there is an urgent need to evaluate OMT in this context of care and with a proper research approach.