Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol Research Articles

Implementation of an innovative ERAS protocol in cardiac surgery: A qualitative evaluation from patients' perspective.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to optimize the recovery process for patients after surgical interventions and focus on patient-centered care. In cardiac surgery, the ERAS concept is still in its early stages. Our university hospital has implemented an innovative ERAS protocol for minimally invasive heart valve surgery since 2021. Therefore, our study aimed to comprehensively assess the patient experience within this newly established ERAS protocol and focused on exploring and understanding the nuances of optimal healthcare delivery under the ERAS framework from the unique perspective of the patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Qualitative research was conducted using semi-structured interviews. Data was analyzed using Kuckartz´s qualitative content analysis. The following main themes emerged from the 12 completed patient interviews: 1) information and communication flow, 2) perioperative patient care, and 3) rehabilitation. Patients found the pre-operative patient education and preconditioning very helpful. Patients were satisfied with the flow of information throughout the whole perioperative care process. Most patients expressed a need for more information about the course of surgery. The intensity of care provided by different professions was perceived as optimal. The support and inclusion of relatives in perioperative care were considered crucial. Patients appreciated the direct transfer to the rehabilitation and mainly were able to cope with daily life tasks afterward. In summary, all patients experienced the ERAS protocol positively, and their healthcare process was well established. Active inclusion and education of patients in their treatment can improve patient empowerment. Two further aspects that deserve major consideration in the healthcare process are the inclusion of relatives and interprofessional cooperation.

Supportive Care Needs of Patients With Temporary Ostomy in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), a global surgical quality improvement initiative, reduces the length of stay in the hospital. Temporary stoma care for rectal cancer is complex, and patients require prolonged care services to adjust to the stoma. The shorter stay durations in the new model challenge the conventional care pathways and create new patient needs. This study was designed to explore the supportive care needs of patients under the new surgical model to provide a reference for the design of ERAS nursing care plans. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used in this study. Patients with temporary stomas for rectal cancer were recruited using a convenience sampling method in gastrointestinal surgery wards and wound & stoma clinics in two public tertiary care hospitals in China. Standardized questionnaires were administered to 140 patients to collect quantitative data, and semistructured interviews were conducted individually with 13 patients to collect qualitative data. The questionnaire data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. "Health system and information needs" and "care and support needs" were identified in both the qualitative and quantitative analyses as the most significant unmet needs of the participants. In addition, the qualitative analysis identified receiving focused stoma care instructions and easily understandable information as essential to fulfilling health system and information needs. Care and support needs included access to continued postdischarge services and attention from medical professionals. The participants in this study experienced a variety of unmet supportive care needs under the ERAS protocol, with gaps particularly notable in two categories: "health system and information needs" and "care and support needs." Increased perioperative care and shorter hospital stays under the ERAS protocol reduce opportunities for patients to receive targeted instruction and shift much of the ostomy education and care workload out of the hospital, requiring greater attention from clinical nurses to ensure quality of care.

Multimodal anesthesia: integrated strategies to improve pain management and recovery: a literature review

With the overprescription of opioids fueling the opioid epidemic, postoperative pain management has emerged as a crucial component of surgical treatment. The shift to multimodal anesthesia as a substitute for postoperative pain management is examined in this review of the literature, with a focus on the contribution of ERAS protocols to lower opioid use and enhance patient outcomes. A methodical exploration of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus was carried out to ascertain pertinent publications released during the last five years. Included were articles on non-opioid analgesics, local anesthetic, regional anesthesia, and multimodal analgesia approaches. Targeting different pain pathways and lowering opioid use, multimodal anesthesia incorporates a number of drugs and strategies, such as NSAIDs, acetaminophen, gabapentin, dexamethasone, and NMDA receptor antagonists. Research indicates that multimodal anesthesia is beneficial in lowering postoperative pain, improving healing, and minimizing opioid-related side effects in a variety of surgical specialties. By placing an emphasis on customized preoperative and postoperative therapies, the use of ERAS protocols further optimizes perioperative care. Multimodal anesthesia reduces postoperative pain, shortens hospital stays, and enhances patient satisfaction, according to studies. Nevertheless, obstacles including insufficient funding and poor training prevent regional anesthesia methods from being widely used. To address the effects of the opioid crisis on patient health and healthcare systems, as well as to advance surgical treatment, it is imperative that multimodal anesthesia procedures be clinically implemented and researched further.

Advancements in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols: A Systematic Review of Outcomes.

The advent of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) has introduced a total reformation in perioperative care, replacing classic methods with a better, evidence-oriented approach, that focuses on the patient rather than their surgery. ERAS protocol applies the comprehensive approach to patient care by taking all stages before, during, and postoperatively into account. These schemes center on personalized treatments that are customized to the individual's individual needs. The vital constituents of ERAS include nutrition evaluation and improvement, patient education, minimally invasive procedures, and multimodal pain management. ERAS provides a wide range of benefits such as a reduction in postoperative complications, shorter hospital stay periods, better patient outcomes, and a decrease in cost to the medical industry. This paper will discuss systematically what are previous clinical outcomes in general surgery with EARS protocol as compared to traditional approaches.

Assessing the Economic Benefits of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols in Adult Cervical Deformity Patients: Is the Initial Additive Cost of Protocols Offset by Clinical Gains?

To assess the financial impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols and cost-effectiveness in cervical deformity corrective surgery. Retrospective review of prospective CD database. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) can help accelerate patient recovery and assist hospitals in maximizing the incentives of bundled payment models while maintaining high-quality patient care. However, the economic benefit of ERAS protocols, nor the heterogeneous components that make up such protocols, has not been established. Operative CD patients ≥18 y with complete pre-(BL) and up to 2-year(2Y) postop radiographic/HRQL data were stratified by enrollment in Standard-of-Care ERAS beginning in 2020. Differences in demographics, clinical outcomes, radiographic alignment targets, perioperative factors, and complication rates were assessed through means comparison analysis. Costs were calculated using PearlDiver database estimates from Medicare pay scales. QALY was calculated using NDI mapped to SF6D using validated methodology with a 3% discount rate to account for a residual decline in life expectancy. In all, 127 patients were included (59.07±11.16y, 54% female, 29.08±6.43kg/m 2 ) in the analysis. Of these patients, 54 (20.0%) received the ERAS protocol. Per cost analysis, ERAS+ patients reported a lower mean total 2Y cost of 35049 USD compared with ERAS- patients at 37553 ( P <0.001). Furthermore, ERAS+ patients demonstrated lower cost of reoperation by 2Y ( P <0.001). Controlling for age, surgical invasiveness, and deformity per BL TS-CL, ERAS+ patients below 70 years old were significantly more likely to achieve a cost-effective outcome by 2Y compared with their ERAS- counterparts (OR: 1.011 [1.001-1.999, P =0.048]. Patients undergoing ERAS protocols experience improved cost-effectiveness and reduced total cost by 2Y post-operatively. Due to the potential economic benefit of ERAS for patients incorporation of ERAS into practice for eligible patients should be considered.

Safety and Feasibility of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery in Pediatric Colostomy Closure

ABSTRACT Aims: To study the safety and feasibility of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in pediatric colostomy closure. Materials and Methods: Retrospective observational study of children who underwent colostomy closure. Data were collected from the electronic medical records and telephonic follow-up calls of patients from October 2013 to October 2023, in the Department of Pediatric Surgery of a Tertiary level Medical College. The parameters obtained were age, gender, type of stoma, primary diagnosis, discrepancy in luminal diameters, time to reach full feeds, postoperative hospital stay, and complications. The protocol followed for colostomy closure included the following-no bowel preparation or nasogastric tube, no overnight fasting, single dose of antibiotic prophylaxis, avoiding opioids, packing proximal stoma till mobilization and starting early oral feeds postoperatively. The continuous parameters were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (range) while the descriptive parameters were expressed as number and percentage. Results: A total of 90 patients were included in the study. Most of the patients had colostomy for anorectal malformation. Five of them had significant luminal discrepancy of 4 or more times. Full feeds were reached within 2 days in 79 patients. Postoperative hospital stay was 2–3 days in 62 patients. Six patients stayed for more than 5 days, due to complications requiring further management. We noted surgical site infection in 6 patients all of whom were managed with regular wound dressings and fecal fistula in 4 cases, two of which resolved spontaneously. Conclusion: ERAS protocol in colostomy closure reduces the hospital stay and is cost effective, with early recovery and no added complications.

Safety and Efficacy of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Control Study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient care. The goal of this approach is to reduce the body’s reaction to surgical stress by optimizing the perioperative nutritional status, promoting analgesia without opioids, and early postoperative feeding. In pediatric patients, very limited literature is available for the application of ERAS protocol. This study was done to evaluate the application of ERAS protocol in pediatric hepatobiliary and pancreatic patients. Materials and Methods: This is a randomized prospective study conducted over a period of 2 years at a tertiary center in North India. A total of 40 hepatobiliary and pancreatic patients who were willing to participate in the study were included in the study. Patients were randomized by computer-generated method and data were collected regarding demography, clinical diagnosis, preoperative and postoperative workup, and peri-operative care including analgesia, pain scores, postoperative recovery, hospital stay, and complications. These patients were followed for 6 months postoperatively and the results were evaluated using SPSS software. Results: The study included 20 patients each in both the conventional and ERAS group with median ages of 11.5 years and 7.1 years, respectively. The data analysis showed that the ERAS group of patients had better outcomes in terms of hospital stay and drain removal time with significant statistical differences. Pain scores and complications are almost the same in both groups. Conclusion: Principles of ERAS can be safely applied in pediatric patients undergoing major surgery in the present era of emerging infections and also increasing patient burden without morbidity.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Day Surgery for MAKO® Robotic-arm Assisted TKA; Better Outcome for Patients, Improved Efficiency

IntroductionRobotic-assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) was designed to improve implant position accuracy by providing surgeons with real-time intra-operative data to tailor the operation to the patient. Proponents of robotic assisted TKA believe that this translates into meaningful improvements in outcomes. However, there are concerns that the longer surgical duration associated with robotic assisted TKA leads to longer length of stay (LOS). In this study, the authors investigated the outcome of MAKO® Robotic-arm Assisted TKA combined with ERAS protocol to assess its effect on LOS and short-term outcomes. MethodsAll patients who had undergone unilateral ERAS Day Surgery MAKO® TKA from August 2020 to July 2021 were prospectively followed up and matched to patients who underwent conventional ERAS Day Surgery TKA in the same time period. Factors such as surgical duration, LOS, immediate reduction in pain, 30-days complications, and 6-month PROMs and knee ROM were compared between the two groups. Results42 patients underwent MAKO® ERAS Day surgery TKA and were matched to 42 patients who underwent conventional ERAS Day surgery TKA. The study found that despite the longer surgical duration, LOS was comparable between both groups (1.1±0.9days in the MAKO® group vs 1.0±0.3days in the conventional group, p=0.755) with successful 24-hour discharge in 88.1% of patients in the MAKO® group. The MAKO® group achieved significantly better ROM compared to the conventional group 6-months post operatively. Post-operative PROMs were comparable between both groups. ConclusionERAS Day Surgery protocol can significantly reduce the LOS of patient undergoing MAKO® Robotic-arm Assisted TKA, conferring cost savings and making it a valid option for patients.

Comparison of the Outcomes of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery and Traditional Recovery Pathway in Robotic Hysterectomy for Benign Indications: A Randomised Controlled Trial

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate the impact of implementation of the ERAS program in patients undergoing robotic hysterectomy for benign indications in comparison with conventional management DesignRandomized controlled trial SettingNorth Indian tertiary care hospital ParticipantsPatients aged 40-60 years willing to sign the informed written consent were included while cases with contraindications for neuraxial anesthesia were excluded. 130 subjects undergoing robotic hysterectomy, divided into ERAS (N=65) and conventional (non-ERAS) (N=65) groups. InterventionsComponents of the ERAS protocol included preoperative counselling, carbohydrate loading, early removal of catheter, and early ambulation. Both groups underwent optimization of medical conditions, standardized anesthesia, and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. ResultsOutcome measures included length of hospital stay (LOHS), time to tolerance of diet, postoperative complications, readmission rates, and quality of life assessed by WHO-QOL BREF. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. ERAS group showed significantly lower docking time (4.82±0.73 versus 5.31±0.92 minutes), faster tolerance of diet (0.14±0.35 versus 1.14±0.35 days), and earlier resumption of ambulation (0.42±0.5 versus 1.26±0.44 days). Time for 'fit for discharge' (1.43±0.61 versus 2.97±1.1 days) and LOHS (2.85±1.09 versus 3.78±1.29 days) were significantly lower in the ERAS group. Postoperative complications and readmission rates were comparable. Quality of life scores favoured the ERAS group at postoperative day 1 and 30. ConclusionThe combination of ERAS and robotic surgery improves patient outcomes, shortens hospital stay, and enhances postoperative recovery without increasing complications. This research serves as a pioneering effort in assessing ERAS impact on robotic hysterectomy for benign indications, providing valuable insights for future multicentric studies and supporting the integration of ERAS protocols to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.Clinical trial registration: Clinical trial registry of India: https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?EncHid=NjczODM=&Enc=&userName=)

An Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol for Orthognathic Surgery Reduces Rates of Postoperative Nausea.

For many surgical procedures, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have improved patient outcomes, particularly postoperative nausea and vomiting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative nausea following orthognathic surgery after the implementation of an ERAS protocol. This retrospective cohort study included patients between 12 and 35 years old who underwent orthognathic surgery at Boston Children's Hospital from April 2018 to December 2022. Patients with syndromes or a hospital stay greater than 48 hours were excluded from the study. The primary predictor was enrollment in our institutional ERAS protocol. The main outcome variable was postoperative nausea. Intraoperative and postoperative covariates were compared between groups using unpaired t tests and chi squared analysis. Univariate and multivariate regression models with 95% confidence intervals were performed to identify predictors for nausea. A P value<0.05 was considered significant. There were 128 patients (68 non-ERAS, 60 ERAS) included in this study (51.6% female, mean age 19.02±3.25 years). The ERAS group received less intraoperative fluid (937.0±462.3 versus 1583.6±847.6mL, P≤0.001) and experienced less postoperative nausea (38.3% versus 63.2%, P=0.005). Enhanced recovery after surgery status (P=0.005) was a predictor for less postoperative nausea, whereas bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (P=0.045) and length of stay (P=0.007) were positive predictors for postoperative nausea in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Implementing an ERAS protocol for orthognathic surgery reduces postoperative nausea. Level of Evidence: Level III-therapeutic.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Craniotomies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The efficacy of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in neurosurgery has not yet been established. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to compare the effects of ERAS protocols and conventional perioperative care on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing craniotomy. The primary outcome was postoperative length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain visual analog pain scores, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), postoperative complications, all-cause reoperation, readmission after discharge, and mortality. A literature search up to August 10, 2023, was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Five studies, including 871 patients, were identified for inclusion in this review. Compared with conventional perioperative care, ERAS protocols reduced the length of postoperative hospital stay (difference of medians, -1.52 days; 95% CI: -2.55 to -0.49); there was high heterogeneity across studies (I2, 74%). ERAS protocols were also associated with a lower risk of PONV (relative risk, 0.79; 95% CI: 0.69-0.90; I2, 99%) and postoperative pain with a visual analog scale score ≥4 at postoperative day 1 (relative risk, 0.37; 95% CI: 0.28-0.49; I2, 14%). Other outcomes, including postoperative complications, did not differ between ERAS and conventional care groups. ERAS protocols may be superior to conventional perioperative care in craniotomy patients in terms of lower length of hospital stay, lower incidence of PONV, and improved postoperative pain scores. Further randomized trials are required to identify the impact of ERAS protocols on the quality of recovery after craniotomy.

From morbidity reduction to cost-effectiveness: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) society recommendations in minimal invasive liver surgery

PurposeMinimal-invasive liver surgery (MILS) reduces surgical trauma and is associated with fewer postoperative complications. To amplify these benefits, perioperative multimodal concepts like Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS), can play a crucial role. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness for MILS in an ERAS program, considering the necessary additional workforce and associated expenses.MethodsA prospective observational study comparing surgical approach in patients within an ERAS program compared to standard care from 2018—2022 at the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Cost data were provided by the medical controlling office. ERAS items were applied according to the ERAS society recommendations.Results537 patients underwent liver surgery (46% laparoscopic, 26% robotic assisted, 28% open surgery) and 487 were managed by the ERAS protocol. Implementation of ERAS reduced overall postoperative complications in the MILS group (18% vs. 32%, p = 0.048). Complications greater than Clavien-Dindo grade II incurred the highest costs (€ 31,093) compared to minor (€ 17,510) and no complications (€13,893; p < 0.001). In the event of major complications, profit margins were reduced by a median of € 6,640.ConclusionsEmbracing the ERAS society recommendations in liver surgery leads to a significant reduction of complications. This outcome justifies the higher cost associated with a well-structured ERAS protocol, as it effectively offsets the expenses of complications.

The Impact of Peri-operative Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols on Outcomes Following Adult Cervical Deformity Surgery.

Retrospective cohort study. To assess the impact of Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols on peri-operative course in adult cervical deformity (ACD) corrective surgery. Patients ≥18 yrs with complete pre-(BL) and up to 2-year (2Y) radiographic and clinical outcome data were stratified by enrollment in an ERAS protocol that commenced in 2020. Differences in demographics, clinical outcomes, radiographic alignment targets, peri-operative factors and complication rates were assessed via means comparison analysis. Logistic regression analysed differences while controlling for baseline disability and deformity. We included 220 patients (average age 58.1 ± 11.9 years, 48% female). 20% were treated using the ERAS protocol (ERAS+). Disability was similar between both groups at baseline. When controlling for baseline disability and myelopathy, ERAS- patients were more likely to utilize opioids than ERAS+ (OR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.45-2.50, P = .016). Peri-operatively, ERAS+ had significantly lower operative time (P < .021), lower EBL (583.48 vs 246.51, P < .001), and required significantly lower doses of propofol intra-operatively than ERAS- patients (P = .020). ERAS+ patients also reported lower mean LOS overall (4.33 vs 5.84, P = .393), and were more likely to be discharged directly to home (χ2(1) = 4.974, P = .028). ERAS+ patients were less likely to require steroids after surgery (P = .045), were less likely to develop neuromuscular complications overall (P = .025), and less likely experience venous complications or be diagnosed with venous disease post-operatively (P = .025). Enhanced recovery after surgery programs in ACD surgery demonstrate significant benefit in terms of peri-operative outcomes for patients.

Is recovery enhancement after gastric cancer surgery really a safe approach for elderly patients?

This study aimed to evaluate the safety of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in elderly patients with gastric cancer (GC). To evaluate the safety of ERAS in elderly patients with GC. The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were used to search for eligible studies from inception to April 1, 2023. The mean difference (MD), odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were pooled for analysis. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale scores. We used Stata (V.16.0) software for data analysis. This study consists of six studies involving 878 elderly patients. By analyzing the clinical outcomes, we found that the ERAS group had shorter postoperative hospital stays (MD = -0.51, I2 = 0.00%, 95%CI = -0.72 to -0.30, P = 0.00); earlier times to first flatus (defecation; MD = -0.30, I² = 0.00%, 95%CI = -0.55 to -0.06, P = 0.02); less intestinal obstruction (OR = 3.24, I2 = 0.00%, 95%CI = 1.07 to 9.78, P = 0.04); less nausea and vomiting (OR = 4.07, I2 = 0.00%, 95%CI = 1.29 to 12.84, P = 0.02); and less gastric retention (OR = 5.69, I2 = 2.46%, 95%CI = 2.00 to 16.20, P = 0.00). Our results showed that the conventional group had a greater mortality rate than the ERAS group (OR = 0.24, I2 = 0.00%, 95%CI = 0.07 to 0.84, P = 0.03). However, there was no statistically significant difference in major complications between the ERAS group and the conventional group (OR = 0.67, I2 = 0.00%, 95%CI = 0.38 to 1.18, P = 0.16). Compared to those with conventional recovery, elderly GC patients who received the ERAS protocol after surgery had a lower risk of mortality.

Cryoanalgesia as the Essential Element of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) in Children Undergoing Thoracic Surgery-Scoping Review.

This article aims to present cryoanalgesia as an inventive strategy for pain alleviation among pediatric patients. It underlines the tremendous need to align pain management with the principles of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) approach. The aim of the study was to review the patient outcomes of nerve cryoanalgesia during surgery reported with regard to ERAS in the literature. The literature search was performed using PubMed and Embase to identify articles on the use of cryoanalgesia in children. It excluded editorials, reviews, meta-analyses, and non-English articles. The analysis focused on the study methods, data analysis, patient selection, and patient follow-up. This review includes a total of 25 articles. Three of the articles report the results of cryoanalgesia implemented in ERAS protocol in children. The research outcome indicates shortened hospital stay, potential reduction in opioid dosage, and significant progress in physical rehabilitation. This paper also describes the first intraoperative utilization of intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia during the Nuss procedure in Poland, highlighting its effectiveness in pain management. Adding the cryoanalgesia procedure to multimodal analgesia protocol may facilitate the implementation of the ERAS protocol in pediatric patients.

Initial Results of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Program in Patients Undergoing Lobectomy in the Treatment of Lung Cancer: An Experience From the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City.

Lobectomy is a standard surgical method in the treatment of early stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program aims to reduce the postoperative length of hospital stay (PLOS) in major surgeries. This study evaluated the impact of the ERAS program on PLOS and identified related factors in patients undergoing lobectomy for NSCLC. This prospective observational study was conducted at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam, from February2022 to December 2023. We included patients diagnosed with NSCLC scheduled for lobectomy. The ERAS protocol was applied according to guidelines from the ERAS Society and the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine. We collected data on patient demographics, surgical details, adherence to the ERAS protocol, and postoperative outcomes, including the PLOS. Among the 98 patients enrolled, the median PLOS after ERAS intervention was 4.1 days (interquartile range: 3.7 to 5.2 days). Adherence to ERAS protocols significantly correlated with reduced PLOS (p<0.001). Notably, smoking status was identified as a related factor of PLOS (p=0.002). Complications (p<0.001), surgical method (p=0.007), operation time (p<0.001), duration of postanesthesia care unit (p=0.006), duration of thoracic drainage (p<0.001), and urinary catheter retention time (p=0.023) were also associated with PLOS variations. Implementing the ERAS program in patients undergoing lobectomy for NSCLC at our center reduced PLOS and highlighted the importance of protocol adherence for optimizing surgical outcomes. These findings supported the broader adoption of ERAS protocols in thoracic surgery to enhance patient recovery. Future research should focus on multi-center studies to generalize these results and further dissect the impact of individual ERAS components.

Intra- and post-operative outcomes of the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) Program in laparoscopic hysterectomy.

To investigate the effect of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol on perioperative and post-operative outcomes in laparoscopic hysterectomies (LHs) performed for benign gynecological diseases. This prospective study was conducted with randomized 100 participants who underwent LH between 1 January and 31 December, 2022. A standard care protocol was applied to 50 participants (Group 1, control) and the ERAS protocol to the other 50 (Group 2, study). Length of hospitalization was compared between the groups as the primary outcome, and the duration of the operation, the amount of bleeding, post-operative nausea-vomiting, gas discharge time, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, and complications as the secondary outcomes. No statistically significant difference was seen between the groups in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, operation indications, surgical procedures applied in addition to hysterectomy, operative time, pre-operative and post-operative hemoglobin levels, amount of bleeding, or drain use (p > 0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was observed in terms of nausea (60% vs. 26%, p = 0.001), vomiting (28% vs. 10%, p = 0.040), duration of gassing (17.74 ± 6.77 vs. 14.20 ± 7.05h, p = 0.012), length of hospitalization (41.78 ± 12.17 vs. 34.12 ± 10.90h, p = 0.001), analgesic requirements (4.62 ± 1.36 vs. 3.34 ± 1.27h, p < 0.001), or VAS scores at the 1st (5.86 ± 1.21 vs. 4.58 ± 1.31, p < 0.001), 6th (5.16 ± 1.12 vs. 4.04 ± 1.08, p < 0.001), 12th (4.72 ± 1.12 vs. 3.48 ± 1.12, p < 0.001), 18th (4.48 ± 1.21 vs. 3.24 ± 1.34, p < 0.001), and 24th (4.08 ± 1.29 vs. 3.01 ± 1.30, p < 0.001) hours. The findings of this study show that the ERAS protocol has a positive effect on peri- and post-operative outcomes in LH. Further prospective studies are now needed to confirm the validity of the results.

ENHANCED RECOVERY PATHWAY AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIOPLASTY IN PATIENTS WITH VENTRAL HERNIAS: IS IT NECESSARY TO APPLY?

The aim: To study the effectiveness of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for laparoscopic hernioplasty (LH) in patients with ventral hernias (VH).&#x0D; Materials and methods: 190 patients with VH after laparoscopic prosthetic hernioplasty with intraperitoneal mesh placement (IPOM) were included in the study and divided into two groups. The study group (ERAS group) included 92 (48.4%) patients to whom the ERAS protocol was applied, the control group (preERAS group) – 98 (51.6%) patients. The width of the hernia was more than 10 cm in 25 (13.2%) patients of the ERAS group. For them botulinum toxin type A (BTA) was injected into the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall 4 weeks before the operation. In the postoperative period, the duration of the operation, hospital length of stay, the intensity of the pain syndrome and well-being, the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) on the first postoperative day were evaluated.&#x0D; Results: After the introduction of BTA in 25 patients of ERAS group, the hernial defect decreased by an average of 4.6±0.62 mm and in all cases became less than 10 cm (р&lt;0.001). The average duration of LH in the study and control groups did not differ statistically (ERAS; 91.2±37.41 min vs preERAS 88.9±30.05 min, p=0.76). In 2 hours after the operation, it was possible to activate all patients of the study group and 78 (79.6%) of the control group, within 4-6 hours – the other 20 (20.4%) patients of the control group. Using the ERAS protocol demonstrated significantly less intensity of pain syndrome according to visual analogue scale (VAS), complaints of nausea (р&lt;0.001), bloating (р=0.017), feelings of hunger, thirst and general weakness (р&lt;0.001). At the same time, there was no statistically significant difference in the presence of defecation (р=0.31). The average level of CRP after surgery was significantly higher in the control group compared to the study group (preERAS; 43.63 ± 13.90 vs ERAS; 16.55 ± 9.97, p&lt;0.001). The level of IL-6 similarly increased more significantly in the control group (pre ERAS; 34.03 ± 18.18 vs ERAS; 11.44 ± 5.30, p&lt;0.001). The length of hospital stay after surgery did not differ statistically between the groups (р=0.21).&#x0D; Conclusions: The use of the ERAS protocol during laparoscopic hernioplasty IРOM for patients with VH can reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome in the postoperative period and increase the patient's subjective assessment of their condition. The use of BTA in the preoperative period allows the implementation of the ERAS protocol even when used with large ventral hernias.

Factors associated with increased length of stay in degenerative cervical spine surgery: a cohort analysis from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network.

Postoperative length of stay (LOS) significantly contributes to healthcare costs and resource utilization. The primary goal of this study was to identify patient, clinical, surgical, and institutional variables that influence LOS after elective surgery for degenerative conditions of the cervical spine. The secondary objectives were to examine the variability in LOS and institutional practices used to decrease LOS. This was a multicenter observational retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled in the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network (CSORN) between January 2015 and October 2020 who underwent elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) (1-3 levels) or posterior cervical fusion (PCF) (between C2 and T2) with/without decompression for degenerative conditions of the cervical spine. Prolonged LOS was defined as LOS greater than the median for the ACDF and PCF populations. The principal investigators at each participating CSORN healthcare institution completed a survey to capture institutional practices implemented to reduce postoperative LOS. In total, 1228 patients were included (729 ACDF and 499 PCF patients). The median (IQR) LOS for ACDF and PCF were 1.0 (1.0) day and 5.0 (4.0) days, respectively. Predictors of prolonged LOS after ACDF were female sex, myelopathy diagnosis, lower baseline SF-12 mental component summary score, multilevel ACDF, and perioperative adverse events (AEs) (p < 0.05). Predictors of prolonged LOS after PCF were nonsmoking status, education less than high school, lower baseline numeric rating scale score for neck pain and EQ5D score, higher baseline Neck Disability Index score, and perioperative AEs (p < 0.05). Myelopathy did not significantly predict prolonged LOS within the PCF cohort after multivariate analysis. Of the 8 institutions (57.1%) with an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol or standardized protocol, only 3 reported using an ERAS protocol specific to patients undergoing ACDF or PCF. Patient and clinical factors predictive of prolonged LOS after ACDF and PCF are highly variable, warranting individual consideration for possible mitigation. Perioperative AEs remained a consistent independent predictor of prolonged LOS in both cohorts, highlighting the importance of preventing intra- and postoperative complications.

163 Assessing the Economic Benefit of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols in Adult Cervical Deformity Patients: Is the Initial Additive Cost of Protocols Offset by Clinical Gains

INTRODUCTION: The economic benefit of ERAS protocols, nor the heterogeneous components that make up such protocols, has not been established. METHODS: CD patients =18 yrs with pre-(BL) and up to 2-year (2Y) postop data were stratified by enrollment in Standard-of-Care ERAS beginning in 2020. Differences in pre, peri-, and post-operative factors were assessed via means comparison analysis. Costs were calculated using PearlDiver database estimates from Medicare pay-scales. QALY was calculated using NDI mapped to SF6D using validated methodology with 3% discount rate to account for residual decline to life expectancy. RESULTS: 270 patients were included (58.11 ± 11.97 years, 48% female). 54 (20.0%) received ERAS protocol recovery treatment post-operatively. Peri-operatively, ERAS+ patients also reported lower mean LOS overall (4.33 vs 5.84, p = .393), and were more likely to be discharged directly to home (χ2(1) = 4.974, p = .028). Per cost analysis, ERAS+ patients reported a lower mean total 2Y cost of 33,829 USD compared to ERAS- patients at 36,951 (p &lt; .001). Furthermore, ERAS+ patients trended towards greater life-expectancy 2Y QALYs gained versus ERAS- patients (.423 vs .368, p = .051), and demonstrated lower costs at reoperation by 2Y (7050 USD vs 8110, p &lt; .001). Controlling for age, surgical invasiveness, and deformity per BL TS-CL, ERAS+ patients below 70 years old were more likely to achieve a cost-effective outcome by 2Y compared to their ERAS- counterparts (OR: 1.011 [1.001 – 1.999, p = .048]. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols experience lower operative times, length of stay, and rates of peri-and and post-operative complications. Subsequently, this study demonstrates that ERAS programs in ACD surgery demonstrate improved cost-effectiveness and reduced total cost by 2Y post-operatively. Due to the potential economic benefit of ERAS for patients, physicians and instutions should consider incorporation of ERAS into practice for eligible patients.