THE INFLUENCE OF COMPLEX IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ERAS PROGRAM ON THE SURGICAL STRESS RESPONSE FACTORS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS UNDERGOING ELECTIVE LIMB SURGERY

Abstract

Surgical stress response, fluid and nutritional balance, and pain management are among the key factors influencing on the postoperative period. These areas are reflected in the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) concept, which is based on a set of measures aimed at minimizing the surgical stress response. The lack of ERAS recommendations for the pediatric population of surgical patients prompts to search for a solution of adaptation and implementation of the ERAS programs in children. The aim of the study. To determine the effectiveness of the complex application of the enhanced recovery after surgery by studying its influence on the factors of the surgical stress response in pediatric patients undergoing limp surgery. Materials and methods. The prospective randomized study included 47 patients aged 1 to 17 years. In the study group (n = 22), the ERAS program was used, which consisted of 14 components of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative measures. In the control group (n = 25), the complex of all ERAS components was not purposefully applied. We compared glycaemic stress index (GSI) and length of hospital stay after surgery (LOS) as a primary outcome; secondary outcomes were fasting time after drinking fluids before induction of anesthesia, estimated fluid deficiency just before induction of anesthesia, hemodynamic parameters, the need for opioids during and after surgery, blood glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate in the beginning and in the end of the surgery and next day morning after surgery, postoperative nausea and vomiting. Results. GSI was significantly less in the study group (1,62 ± 0,78 vs 2,12 ± 0,93, р=0,046). LOS in the study group was 37.5% less than in the control group (p = 0.002). The period of preoperative fasting and fluid deficit in the patients of the study group were shorter. The needs of fentanyl intraoperatively in the study group was 47% less (p<0.001). At the beginning of surgery, the study group had a higher blood glucose concentration and a higher systolic blood pressure. At the end of surgery, blood glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate in the study group was lower than in the control group. In the postoperative period, 9% of patients in the study group and 36% of patients in the control group complained of nausea (p = 0.041). Linear regression analysis showed a linear relationship between the LOS after surgery and the GSI (R=0,515, R2=0,266, B=2,156, 95% CI 1,04 – 3,27, p<0,001). Results. The implementation of the ERAS program to children 1-17 years old undergoing elective limp surgery may reduce the effect of the surgical stress reaction by reducing the period of preoperative fasting, fluid deficiency, the needs of opioids and postoperative nausea. Minimizing the surgical stress response may facilitate the achievement of hospital discharge criteria and shorten the length of hospital stay in the postoperative period.