Targets for Intervention? Preoperative Predictors of Postoperative Ileus After Colorectal Surgery in an Enhanced Recovery Protocol

BACKGROUND

Postoperative ileus occurs in up to 30% of colorectal surgery patients and is associated with increased length of stay, costs, and morbidity. While Enhanced Recovery Protocols seek to accelerate postoperative recovery, data on modifiable preoperative factors associated with postoperative ileus in this setting are limited. We aimed to identify preoperative predictors of postoperative ileus following colorectal surgery in Enhanced Recovery Protocols, to determine new intervention targets.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective single-center cohort study of patients ≥ 18 years old who underwent colorectal surgery via Enhanced Recovery Protocols (7/2015-7/2017). Postoperative ileus was defined as nasogastric tube insertion postoperatively or nil-per-os by postoperative day 4. Preoperative risk factors including comorbidities and medication use were identified using multivariable stepwise logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 530 patients, 14.9% developed postoperative ileus. On univariate analysis of perioperative and postoperative factors, postoperative ileus patients had increased psychiatric illness, antidepressant and antipsychotic use, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, ileostomy creation, postoperative opioid use, complications, surgery duration, and length of stay (p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression model for preoperative factors identified psychiatric illness, preoperative antipsychotic use, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification ≥ 3 as significant predictors of postoperative ileus (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Postoperative ileus remains a common complication following colorectal surgery under Enhanced Recovery Protocols. Patients with pre-existing psychiatric comorbidities and preoperative antipsychotic use may be a previously overlooked cohort at increased risk for postoperative ileus. Additional research and preoperative interventions within Enhanced Recovery Protocols to reduce postoperative ileus for this higher-risk population are needed.

Orthopaedic Enhanced Recovery Programme for Elective Hip and Knee Arthroplasty - Could a Regional Programme be Beneficial?

INTRODUCTION

Arthroplasty is commonplace in orthopaedic practice, and post operative pain has been shown to substantially hinder recovery and discharge from hospital.

OBJECTIVES

The current study assessed a multidisciplinary, multimodal Orthopaedic ERP in terms of its effect on patient perceived post operative pain in hip and knee arthroplasty. Secondary outcome was in the form of a cost analysis.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed on consecutive arthroplasty patients across a 6 week period in a district orthopaedic unit. A multidisciplinary approach to devising an ERP was undertaken between anaesthetists, surgeons and physiotherapists. Domains included optimising pre-operative nutrition, anaesthetic pre-meds, standardised anaesthetic technique, standardised intra-operative technique and use of locally infiltrated anaesthetic (LIA), as well as a post operative pain regimen. The multidisciplinary team (MDT) involved physiotherapy for the patient on day 0. Demographic data, day 1 and day 2 post operative subjective pain scores using an analogue scale were recorded. Data was collated and analysed using appropriate statistical methods. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients (25 total hip replacements and 15 total knee replacements) were included. All conformed to the ERP. Reductions in patient reported pain scores were observed. Specifically, in total hip arthroplasty (THA), day 1 scores were not significantly improved (p=0.25), however day 2 scores improved significantly (p=0.02). For total knee arthroplasty (TKA), both day 1 and day 2 scores improved significantly (p=0.02 & p<0.001, respectively) Analgesic requirements were not significantly different between hip and knee replacements. Early mobilization occurred in 95% of patients. Length of stay was reduced significantly in hip (1.8 days, p=0.003) and knee (1.9 days(p<0.001) replacements following ERP. Cost analysis demonstrated a potential annual saving of approximately £200,000 for the study unit if ERP was applied to all elective hip and knee arthroplasty procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrates that a tailored, MDT orientated ERP can be beneficial in elective hip and knee arthroplasty. Reductions in pain scores, early ambulation and facilitated early discharge are beneficial to the patient, and cost effective for the unit. The implementation across the region may result in further cost savings.