Economic impact of an enhanced recovery pathway for oesophagectomy

Prehabilitation during neoadjuvant therapy in patients with cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract and rectum-the study protocol

Aims

The concept of prehabilitation, defined as interventions aimed at enhancing a patient's functional capacity prior to an impending physiological stressor, may contribute to reduced postoperative morbidity and mortality. The study's goal is to verify or refute the feasibility of a prehabilitation programme for two diagnostic patient groups during neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy, which is prescribed before the scheduled surgical procedure. This is a single group study design, with all patients enrolled receiving the intervention.

Methods

This is an interventional feasibility study of a prehabilitation programme in the form of physical training conducted at home. The training consists of progressively dosed walking and strength exercises for selected muscle groups. Data will be monitored telemetrically and also through telephone contact with participants. Primary outcomes include: the percentage of patients interested in participating in the study out of all patients indicated for neoadjuvant therapy at University Hospital Ostrava during the observed period, the percentage of patients who complete the prehabilitation programme until the date of surgery and individual patient compliance. Secondary outcomes include physical fitness parameters obtained from cardiopulmonary exercise testing, grip strength measured by a dynamometer, changes in body composition, EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life questionnaire, and a questionnaire on the subjective perception of the exercise programme. Both primary and secondary outcomes will be compared between study arms (two diagnostic groups). The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT05646043.

Conclusion

The results of this study can serve as a foundation for larger, multicentre, controlled studies in the future.

Prediction and stratification for the surgical adverse events after minimally invasive esophagectomy: A two-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is a widely accepted treatment for esophageal cancer, yet it is associated with a significant risk of surgical adverse events (SAEs), which can compromise patient recovery and long-term survival. Accurate preoperative identification of high-risk patients is critical for improving outcomes.

AIM

To establish and validate a risk prediction and stratification model for the risk of SAEs in patients with MIE.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 747 patients who underwent MIE at two centers from January 2019 to February 2024. Patients were separated into a train set (n = 549) and a validation set (n = 198). After screening by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, multivariate logistic regression analyzed clinical and intraoperative variables to identify independent risk factors for SAEs. A risk stratification model was constructed and validated to predict the probability of SAEs.

RESULTS

SAEs occurred in 10.2% of patients in train set and 13.6% in the validation set. Patients with SAE had significantly higher complication rate and a longer hospital stay after surgery. The key independent risk factors identified included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a history of alcohol consumption, low forced expiratory volume in the first second, and low albumin levels. The stratification model has excellent prediction accuracy, with an area under the curve of 0.889 for the training set and an area under the curve of 0.793 for the validation set.

CONCLUSION

The developed risk stratification model effectively predicts the risk of SAEs in patients undergoing MIE, facilitating targeted preoperative interventions and improving perioperative management.

Clinical and economic comparison of laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for primary hepatolithiasis: a propensity score-matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for hepatolithiasis confers better clinical benefit and lower hospital costs than open hepatectomy (OH). This study aim to evaluate the clinical and economic value of LH versus OH.

METHODS

Patients undergoing OH or LH for primary hepatolithiasis at Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College between 2015 and 2022 were divided into OH group and LH group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline data. Deviation-based cost modelling and weighted average median cost (WAMC) were used to assess and compare the economic value.

RESULTS

A total of 853 patients were identified. After exclusions, 403 patients with primary hepatolithiasis underwent anatomical hepatectomy (OH n=143; LH n=260). PSM resulted in 2 groups of 100 patients each. Although LH required a longer median operation duration compared with OH (285.0 versus 240.0 min, respectively, P<0.001), LH patients had fewer wound infections, fewer pre-discharge overall complications (26 versus 43%, respectively, P=0.009), and shorter median postoperative hospital stays (8.0 versus 12.0 days, respectively, P<0.001). No differences were found in blood loss, major complications, stone clearance, and mortality between the two matched groups. However, the median overall hospital cost of LH was significantly higher than that of OH (CNY¥52,196.1 versus 45,349.5, respectively, P=0.007). Although LH patients had shorter median postoperative hospital stays and fewer complications than OH patients, the WAMC was still higher for the LH group than for the OH group with an increase of CNY¥9,755.2 per patient undergoing LH.

CONCLUSION

The overall clinical benefit of LH for hepatolithiasis is comparable or even superior to that of OH, but with an economic disadvantage. There is a need to effectively reduce the hospital costs of LH and the gap between costs and diagnosis-related group reimbursement to promote its adoption.

Decreasing length of stay in breast reconstruction patients: A national analysis of 2019-2020

BACKGROUND

The effects of COVID-19 on breast reconstruction included shifts toward alloplastic reconstruction methods to preserve hospital resources and minimize COVID exposures. We examined the effects of COVID-19 on breast reconstruction hospital length of stay (LOS) and subsequent early postoperative complication rates.

METHODS

Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, we examined female patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction from 2019 to 2020. We compared postoperative complications across 2019-2020 for alloplastic and autologous reconstruction patients. We further performed subanalysis of 2020 patients based on LOS.

RESULTS

Both alloplastic and autologous reconstruction patients had shorter inpatient stays. Regarding the alloplastic 2019 versus 2020 cohorts, complication rates did not differ (p > 0.05 in all cases). Alloplastic patients in 2020 with longer LOS had more unplanned reoperations (p < 0.001). Regarding autologous patients in 2019 versus 2020, the only complication increasing from 2019 to 2020 was deep surgical site infection (SSI) (2.0% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.024). Autologous patients in 2020 with longer LOS had more unplanned reoperations (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

In 2020, hospital LOS decreased for all breast reconstruction patients with no complication differences in alloplastic patients and a slight increase in SSIs in autologous patients. Shorter LOS may lead to improved satisfaction and lower healthcare costs with low complication risk, and future research should examine the potential relationship between LOS and these outcomes.

ERAS guidelines for esophagectomy: adherence patterns among Canadian thoracic surgeons

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) guidelines have been incorporated across surgical specialties supported by the publication of evidence-based guidelines. The purpose of this research was to explore adherence to such guidelines among Canadian thoracic surgeons with respect to esophagectomy. A standardized questionnaire was developed comprising 43 validated ERAS recommendations. Additional questions such as the number of annual esophagectomies per institution, the clinical practice environment of the survey responder, preferred operative approach, and responder demographics were included. The survey was circulated to all Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgery (CATS) members and remained open for a four month period. Of the 136 CATS members, 74 (54.4%) completed the survey. Among responders, 29 (40.3%) did have a standard ERAS protocol at their institution. The majority of the responders practiced at an academic center (50, 88.3%). A self-reported adherence rate greater than 80% was observed in six out of 12 of the pre-operative ERAS recommendations, two out of eight of the intraoperative, and seven out of 23 of the post-operative ERAS recommendations. Among the five recommendations associated with high levels of evidence, two had been incorporated into practice by the majority of responders. Out of the 29 strong recommendations, 24 were incorporated into practice by the majority of responders. Canadian thoracic surgeons' express practices that are largely consistent with strongly recommended ERAS guidelines in patients undergoing esophagectomy. ERAS guidelines continue to be instrumental in the improvement of perioperative care; however, high adherence is ultimately necessary for optimal patient outcomes.

Analysis of Outcomes for Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy with an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol

BACKGROUND

The impact on cost relative to clinical efficacy of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols for patients who undergo robotic-assisted lobectomy is currently unknown. The objective of this study was to compare cost and perioperative outcomes of robotic-assisted lobectomy before and after implementation of an ERAS protocol.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of 574 patients who underwent robotic-assisted lobectomy for primary lung carcinoma from May 1, 2017 - June 1, 2021. The ERAS protocol was implemented on October 17, 2019. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) of propensity scores was used to balance baseline characteristics. The primary outcomes of the study were mean direct and indirect hospital costs, complication rates, and hospital length of stay.

RESULTS

A total of 315 patients underwent robotic-assisted lobectomy prior to implementation of the ERAS protocol and 259 patients were enrolled on the protocol. A significantly higher percentage of patients were discharged home in less than 3 days following the ERAS protocol implementation [24.5% vs 9.8% (p =0.001)]. There was a significant decrease in the IPTW adjusted mean direct hospital costs (p< 0.001) and mean indirect costs (p= 0.018) for the total hospital stay after ERAS protocol implementation. The mean initial discharge opioid medication dose (Morphine Equivalent Dose) was significantly lower (p< 0.001) following the ERAS protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased early discharge and decreased hospital costs were observed for robotic-assisted lobectomy after implementation of an ERAS protocol. There was also an observed significant decrease in the discharge opioid medication doses prescribed.

The Effect of Preoperative Nutritional Intervention for Adult Spinal Deformity Patients

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective nutritional intervention study for adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate how a nutritional intervention affects the incidence of postoperative medical complications and the nutritional status.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The medical complication rate in ASD surgery is very high, and one risk factor is malnutrition. Nutritional intervention may improve the patient's nutritional status and reduce risk, but this is unexplored regarding ASD surgery.

METHODS

Malnourished patients (i.e., a prognostic nutritional index [PNI] score of <50) scheduled for surgery after November 2018 (Group I) received nutritional intervention consisting of nutritional guidance and supplements on the surgery day. The medical complication rates between Group I and Group NI (malnourished patients who underwent surgery between January 2014 and October 2018; historical controls) were evaluated. The nutritional status courses of Group I and Group NI2 (patients who did not participate in nutritional intervention after November 2018) were assessed.

RESULTS

Group I had 24 patients in (mean age, 70 yr), and Group NI had 69 patients (mean age, 68 yr). The mean intervention duration was 41 days. The preoperative PNI score did not differ between the groups, but there was a significant difference in medical complications incidences (Group I: 25%; Group NI: 53.6%; P = 0.015). The nutritional status significantly deteriorated in Group I (PNI: 47-45; P = 0.011) and Group NI2 (61 patients; mean age, 68 yr; PNI: 52-48; P = 0.000), but the PNI changes were significantly smaller in Group I (ΔPNI: Group I: -1.9, Group NI 2: -3.5; P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

Nutritional intervention with guidance and supplements reduced postoperative medical complications in malnourished patients. The nutritional status of ASD patients requiring surgery also naturally worsened, suggesting that ASD may contribute to malnutrition. Nutritional intervention may reduce the nutritional status deterioration.Level of Evidence: 3.

Better clinical benefits and potential cost saving of an enhanced recovery pathways for laparoscopic adrenalectomy

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) have been demonstrated to be clinically and economically effective for colorectal surgery. However, data are lacking to support the cost-effectiveness of ERPs for laparoscopic adrenalectomy, as well as potential economic loss. This study aims to determine the cost-effectiveness of ERPs vs. conventional care (CC) for patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

METHODS

A single centered retrospective case-control study was performed. Patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy from January 2018 to June 2021 were enrolled. One inpatient ward used ERPs, whereas the other did not. Case control was used for matching (53 patients for each group). Postoperative outcomes were recorded up to 30 days after surgery. ERPs-specific costs were integrated into the model. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative real costs were collected for each patient via the hospital administration, which were reported in Renminbi. A bootstrap independent t-test was used for comparison.

RESULTS

The two groups were matched in terms of demographics and surgical details. Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ERPs group (2.54 days, P<0.001). The rate of complications was lower in the ERPs group (1 vs. 7 patients, P=0.031), there was no severe complications or morbidity. ERPs-specific costs were ¥656 per patient. The self-payment cost difference per patient between the two groups was ¥3,154.52 in favor of the ERPs group, but this was not statistically significant (P=0.113). The mean direct saving per patient in the ERPs group was ¥8,326.00, the total costs saving including indirect and potential overhead per patient was ¥18,247.60.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced recovery is cost-effective compared with conventional perioperative management for laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Savings were noted in disposable materials, medicine and medical services, radiology and laboratory costs, with no increase in morbidity or duration.

Guide to Enhanced Recovery for Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery: ERAS and Oesophagectomy

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are widely used in oesophageal cancer surgery. Multiple studies have demonstrated that ERAS protocols are associated with a shorter length of stay and a reduction in the incidence of post-operative complications after oesophagectomy. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in the content of ERAS protocols and the delivery of these pathways can be challenging. This paper discusses the key recommendations for ERAS protocols in oesophageal cancer surgery and the barriers and facilitating factors for their successful implementation.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of an Enhanced Recovery Program for Gastrectomy A Retrospective Controlled Analysis

Background

Enhanced recovery programs (ERP) demonstrated decreased postoperative complication rate and reduced length of stay (LOS). Recently, data on the financial impact revealed cost reduction for colorectal, liver and pancreatic surgery. The present study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of ERP in gastric surgery.

Methods

ERP based on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®) society guidelines was implemented in our institution, in June 2014. Consecutive patients undergoing gastric surgery after ERP implementation (n = 71) were compared to a control group of consecutive patients operated before ERP implementation (n = 58). Primary endpoint was cost-effectiveness including detailed perioperative costs. Secondary endpoints were postoperative complications and LOS. Standard statistical testing (means, Mann–Whitney Fisher’s exact T test or Pearson Chi-square test) was used.

Results

Both groups were comparable regarding demographic details. Mean (SD) overall costs per patient were lower in the ERP group (€33,418 (17,901) vs €39,804 (27,288), P = 0.027). Lower costs were found for anesthesia and operating room (−€2 356), intensive or intermediate care (−€8 629), medication (−€1 196)), physiotherapy (−€611), laboratory (−€1 625)) and blood transfusion (−€977). Overall complication rates in ERP and control group (51% vs 62%, P = 0.176) were similar. Mean length of stay (SD) (14(13) days vs 17(11) days, P = 0.037) was shorter in the ERP group.

Conclusion

ERP significantly reduces overall, preoperative and postoperative costs in patients undergoing major gastric surgery.

[Fast-track Rehabilitation after Oesophagectomy]

The multimodal and interprofessional concept of fast-track rehabilitation ("enhanced recovery after surgery", ERAS) is generally applicable to transthoracic oesophagectomy, but is associated with two special features as compared to other oncological procedures. Due to the high comorbidity of oesophageal cancer patients, fast-track pathways have to be considered as one component of perioperative management and cannot be separated from prehabilitation with preoperative conditioning of single organ dysfunctions. Since gastric reconstruction causes a high prevalence of delayed gastric conduit emptying (DGCE), early and sufficient postoperative oral feeding is not easily feasible. There is currently no generally accepted algorithm for the postoperative nutritional management as well as for the prophylaxis/treatment of DGCE. Fast-track prehabilitation does not influence the mortality rate in specialised centres. At present, it is not clear whether a fast-track pathway helps to reduce postoperative morbidity. After modified fast-track rehabilitation, hospital discharge is possible from the 8th postoperative day.

Drivers of Cost Associated With Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

In this era of value-based healthcare, costs must be measured alongside patient outcomes to prioritize quality improvement and inform performance-based reimbursement strategies. We sought to identify drivers of costs for patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

METHODS

Patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer from December 2008 to March 2020 were included. Our institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeons database was merged with financial data to determine inpatient direct accounting costs in 2020 US dollars for total, operative (surgery and anesthesia), and postoperative (intensive care, floor, radiology, laboratory, etc) services. A supervised machine learning quantitative method, the lasso estimator with 10-fold cross-validation, was applied to identify predictors of costs.

RESULTS

In the study cohort (n = 240) most had ≥cT2 pathology (82%), adenocarcinoma histology (90%), and received neoadjuvant therapy (78%). Mean length of stay was 8.00 days (SD, 4.13) with 45% inpatient morbidity rate and no deaths. The largest proportions of cost were from the operating room (30%), inpatient floor (30%), and postanesthesia care/intensive care units (20%). Preoperative predictors of operative costs were age (-5.18% per decade [95% confidence interval {CI}, -9.95 to -0.27], P = .039), body mass index ≥ 30 (+12.9% [95% CI, 0.00-27.5], P = .050), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (-3.24% per 10% forced expiratory volume in 1 second [95% CI, -5.80 to -0.61], P = .017), and year of surgery (+2.55% [95% CI, 0.97-4.15], P = .002). Predictors of postoperative costs were postoperative renal failure (+91.6% [95% CI, 9.93-233.8], P = .022), respiratory failure (+414.6% [95% CI, 158.7-923.6], P < .001), pneumonia (+136.1% [95% CI, 71.1-225.8], P < .001), and reoperation (+60.5% [95% CI, 21.5-111.9], P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Costs associated with minimally invasive esophagectomy are driven by preoperative risk factors and postoperative outcomes. These data enable surgeons and policymakers to reduce cost variation, improve quality through standardization, and ultimately provide greater value to patients.

Length of hospital stay after uncomplicated esophagectomy. Hospital variation shows room for nationwide improvement

BACKGROUND

Within the scope of value-based health care, this study aimed to analyze Dutch hospital performance in terms of length of hospital stay after esophageal cancer surgery and its association with 30-day readmission rates. Since both parameters are influenced by the occurrence of complications, this study only included patients with an uneventful recovery after esophagectomy.

METHODS

All patients registered in the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA) who underwent a potentially curative esophagectomy between 2015 and 2018 were considered for inclusion. Patients were excluded in case of an intraoperative/post-operative complication, readmission to the intensive care unit, or any re-intervention. Length of hospital stay was dichotomized around the national median into 'short admissions' and 'long admissions'. Hospital variation was evaluated using a case-mix-corrected funnel plot based on multivariable logistic regression analyses. Association of length of hospital stay with 30-day readmission rates was investigated using the χ2-statistic.

RESULTS

A total of 1007 patients was included. National median length of hospital stay was 9 days, ranging from 6.5 to 12.5 days among 17 hospitals. The percentage of 'short admissions' per hospital ranged from 7.7 to 93.5%. After correction for case-mix variables, 3 hospitals had significantly higher 'short admission' rates and 4 hospitals had significantly lower 'short admission' rates. Overall, 6.2% [hospital variation (0.0-13.2%)] of patients were readmitted. Hospital 30-day readmission rates were not significantly different between patients with a short length of hospital stay and those with a long length of hospital stay (5.5% versus 7.6%; p = 0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these nationwide audit data, median length of hospital stay after an uncomplicated esophagectomy was 9 days ranging from 6.5 to 12.5 days among Dutch hospitals. There was no association between length of hospital stay and readmission rates. Nationwide improvement might lead to a substantial reduction of hospital costs.

Feasibility analysis for the development of a video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy 23-hour recovery pathway

Background

Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy has been demonstrated to offer several benefits over open surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of an ultra-fast-track 23-hour recovery pathway for VATS lobectomy.

Methods

A prospectively maintained institutional database was queried for patients who underwent VATS lobectomy from 2006 to 2016 at the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Quebec, and data were supplemented with focused chart review. Patients discharged with a length of stay (LOS) of 23 hours or less were compared with those with an LOS of 2 days or more. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of LOS of 23 hours or less.

Results

Two hundred and five patients were included in the study. Perioperative 30-day mortality for our cohort was 0% and the major complication rate was 8.3%. The median LOS was 3 days (interquartile range [IQR] 2-4 d). Thirty-four patients were discharged within 23 hours and none of them required readmission; 171 patients were discharged on postoperative day 2 or later and 9 of them (5.3%) required readmission (p = 0.36). The proportion of patients discharged within 23 hours increased in 2016 compared with previous years (25.8% v. 12.0%, p = 0.05). Patients discharged within 23 hours had shorter chest tube duration (odds ratio [OR] 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09-0.46, p < 0.001), lower clinical stage disease (stages II-III v. stage I OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01-0.52, p = 0.011), lower pathologic stage lesions (stages II-III v. stage I OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.07-0.91, p = 0.035), fewer surgical complications (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.30, p = 0.002) and shorter operative time (surgery duration > 120 min OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18-0.95, p = 0.04). Our exploratory prediction modelling showed that chest tube duration, clinical stage and surgeon were the most influential predictors of discharge within 23 hours.

Conclusion

The only preoperative factors that predicted shorter LOS in our cohort were clinical stage and surgeon. A significant proportion of patients can be discharged safely by adopting a VATS lobectomy 23-hour enhanced recovery pathway.

Nasogastric tube utilization after esophagectomy: an unnecessary gesture?

INTRODUCTION

Nasogastric decompressive tube utilization has been accepted as one of the basic perioperative care measures after esophageal resection surgery. However, with the development of multimodal rehabilitation programs and without clear evidence to support their use, the systematic indication of this measure may be controversial.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective, descriptive and comparative study of patients who had undergone Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy in our center -from January 2015 to December 2018- with placement (Group S), or without placement (Group N) of a decompressive tube in gastroplasty during postoperative period. Epidemiological variables and differences between groups in post-surgical morbidity and mortality, hospital stay, onset of oral tolerance and the need for nasogastric tube placement were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 43 patients were included in this study, with a median age of 61 years, being 86% male. 46.5% were hypertensive, 25.5% had lung disease and 16.3% had diabetes mellitus. The median length of hospital stay was 9 days in group S versus 11.5 days in group N, with no differences in the onset of oral tolerance. Anastomotic dehiscence rate was 5% and 0% respectively. The overall mortality was 2.3% in the first 90 days, without differences between the groups. Placement of nasogastric tube during postoperative period was required only in 1 patient (4.3%) of the group N.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-use of nasogastric tube during postoperative period of an Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy is a safe measure, as it is not associated with a higher rate of complications or hospital stay. This fact may be able to improve patients' comfort and postoperative recovery.

Enhanced recovery pathways vs standard care pathways in esophageal cancer surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols vs standard care pathways after esophagectomy for malignancy have gained wide popularity among surgeons. However, the current literature is still lacking level-I evidence to show a clear superiority of one approach. The present study is a detailed systematic review and meta-analysis of the published trials. A systematic review of literature databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized, prospective, comparative studies between January 1990 and September 2019, comparing ERAS pathway group with standard care for esophageal resection for esophageal cancer. Mean difference (MD) for continuous variables and odds ratio (OR) or risk difference (RD) for dichotomous variables with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used. Between-study heterogeneity was evaluated. Eight studies with a total of 1133 patients were included. Hospital stay [Standard mean difference (Std. MD) = - 1.92, 95% CI - 2.78, - 1.06, P < 0.0001], overall morbidity (OR 0.68, CI 0.49, 0.96, P = 0.03), pulmonary complications (OR 0.45, CI 0.31, 0.65, P < 0.0001), anastomotic leak rate (OR 0.37, CI 0.18, 0.74, P = 0.005), time to first flatus and defecation (Std. MD = -5.01, CI - 9.53, - 0.49, P = 0.03), (Std. MD = - 1.36, CI - 1.78, - 0.94, P < 0.00001) and total hospital cost (Std. MD = - 1.62, CI - 2.24, - 1.01, P < 0.00001) favored the ERAS group. Patients who undergo ERAS have a clear benefit over the standard care protocol. However, existing protocols in different centers are followed by great variability, while the evaluated parameters suffer from significant heterogeneity. A well-formulated, standardized protocol should be standard-of-care at all centers.

Safety, feasibility, and effect of an enhanced nutritional support pathway including extended preoperative and home enteral nutrition in patients undergoing enhanced recovery after esophagectomy: a pilot randomized clinical trial

The aims of this pilot study are to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of conducting an enhanced nutritional support pathway including extended preoperative nutritional support and one month home enteral nutrition (HEN) for patients who underwent enhanced recovery after esophagectomy. We implemented extended preoperative nutritional support and one month HEN after discharge for patients randomized into an enhanced nutrition group and implemented standard nutritional support for patients randomized into a conventional nutrition group. Except the nutritional support program, both group patients underwent the same standardized enhanced recovery after surgery programs of esophagectomy based on published guidelines. Patients were assessed at preoperative day, postoperative day 7 (POD7), and POD30 for perioperative outcomes and nutritional status. To facilitate the determination of an effect size for subsequent appropriately powered randomized clinical trials and assess the effectiveness, the primary outcome we chose was the weight change before and after esophagectomy. Other outcomes including body mass index (BMI), lean body mass (LBM), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), nutrition-related complications, and quality of life (QoL) were also analyzed. The intention-to-treat analysis of the 50 randomized patients showed that there was no significant difference in baseline characteristics. The weight (-2.03 ± 2.28 kg vs. -4.05 ± 3.13 kg, P = 0.012), BMI (-0.73 ± 0.79 kg/m2 vs. -1.48 ± 1.11 kg/m2, P = 0.008), and ASMI (-1.10 ± 0.37 kg/m2 vs. -1.60 ± 0.66 kg/m2, P = 0.010) loss of patients in the enhanced nutrition group were obviously decreased compared to the conventional nutrition group at POD30. In particular, LBM (48.90 ± 9.69 kg vs. 41.96 ± 9.37 kg, p = 0.031) and ASMI (7.56 ± 1.07 kg/m2 vs. 6.50 ± 0.97 kg/m2, P = 0.003) in the enhanced nutrition group were significantly higher compared to the conventional nutrition group at POD30, despite no significant change between pre- and postoperation. In addition, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 scores revealed that enhanced nutritional support improved the QoL of patients in physical function (75.13 ± 9.72 vs. 68.33 ± 7.68, P = 0.009) and fatigue symptom (42.27 ± 9.93 vs. 49.07 ± 11.33, P = 0.028) compared to conventional nutritional support. This pilot study demonstrated that an enhanced nutritional support pathway including extended preoperative nutritional support and HEN was feasible, safe, and might be beneficial to patients who underwent enhanced recovery after esophagectomy. An appropriately powered trial is warranted to confirm the efficacy of this approach.

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

Background

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

Objectives

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

Data sources

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

Review methods

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

Findings

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

Limitations

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

Conclusions

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

Future work

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

Study registration

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42017080637.

Funding

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

Anesthesia and Enhanced Recovery After Head and Neck Surgery

Enhanced recovery protocols have been developed from gastrointestinal, colorectal, and thoracic surgery populations. The basic tenets of head and neck enhanced recovery are: a multidisciplinary team working around the patient, preoperative carbohydrate loading, multimodal analgesia, early mobilization and oral feeding, and frequent reassessment and auditing of protocols to improve patient outcomes. The implementation of enhanced recovery protocols across surgical populations appear to decrease length of stay, reduce cost, and improve patient satisfaction without sacrificing patient quality of care or changing readmission rates. This article examines evidence-based enhanced recovery interventions and tailors them to a major head and neck surgery population.

Enhanced recovery protocol in esophagectomy, is it really worth it? A cost analysis related to team experience and protocol compliance

Application of enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) in esophageal surgery seems to lead an advantage in terms of length of hospital staying and outcomes, but only few data exist on its cost effectiveness. Previous literature analyzed pre- and post-ERP groups, finding a cost reduction with the introduction of the pathway. We aimed to study the influence on costs of accumulating experience and compliance in an ERP group. Seventy-one patients have been treated at our institution from January 2014 to June 2017 with our ERP for Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. Direct costs were divided into subcategories and were analyzed as a function of calendar year and compliance. Factor affecting costs were searched. Univariable analysis highlighted a significant reduction in costs over time. Increase in compliance led to a progressive cost reduction for each ERP item completed (€14 852-€11 045). While age was not found to significantly influence the cost (p = 0.341), complications seemed to nullify the effect of experience: the median was €11 507 in uncomplicated patients, and increased to €13 791 in Clavien-Dindo 3-4 (CD3-4) patients. Compliance and CD3-4 remained significant also in multivariable analysis, accomplished by quantile regression, while year of surgery lost its significance. Our results evidence how accumulating experience in ERP led to a cost reduction over time, which was mainly mediated by an increase in compliance. Indeed, compliance was the main factor in reducing ERP cost while CD3-4 complications were the most important factor in cost increasing, nullifying the benefit of compliance.

Regionalization of esophagectomy: where are we now?

The morbidity and mortality benefits of performing high-risk operations in high-volume centers by high-volume surgeons are evident. Regionalization is a proposed strategy to leverage high-volume centers for esophagectomy to improve quality outcomes. Internationally, regionalization occurs under national mandates. Those mandates do not exist in the United States and spontaneous regionalization of esophagectomy has only modestly occurred in the U.S. Regionalization must strike a careful balance and not limit access to optimal oncologic care to our most vulnerable cancer patient populations in rural and disadvantaged socioeconomic areas. We reviewed the recent literature highlighting: the justification of hospital and surgeon annual esophagectomy volumes for regionalization; how safety performance metrics could influence regionalization; whether regionalization is occurring in the US; what impact regionalization may have on esophagectomy costs; and barriers to patients traveling to receive oncologic treatment at regionalized centers of excellence.

The evolution of fast track protocols after oesophagectomy

Fast track is a standardised goal directed patient's care pathway that aims to facilitate recovery following surgery. Currently, there are large variations in the fast track protocols used in oesophagectomy due to the complexity of the procedure. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the evolution of fast track protocols following oesophagectomy since its implementation and the resulting effect on postoperative outcomes. Relevant electronic databases were searched for studies assessing the clinical outcome from fast track in oesophagectomy and also those assessing the effects of the individual key components in fast track protocols. The search yielded twenty-three publications regarding fast track implementation in oesophagectomy. A pattern of consistent evolution in fast-track protocols was clearly demonstrated and these have shown variations in the core-identified components across the studies. However, evolution in fast track protocols over time showed, an overall improvement in length of stay, anastomotic leak, pulmonary complications and mortality over time. Thirty publications were included that evaluated specific components of fast track protocols, with an increasing trend towards addressing the nutritional aspect in oesophagectomy care in more recent years. The variations in the key components of fast track protocol of care identify the need for continued assessment and identification for areas of improvement. In the future incremental gains through focused improvements in key components will lend itself to even better postoperative outcomes and patient experience during oesophageal cancer treatment.

Effect of Exercise and Nutrition Prehabilitation on Functional Capacity in Esophagogastric Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Preserving functional capacity is a key element in the care continuum for patients with esophagogastric cancer. Prehabilitation, a preoperative conditioning intervention aiming to optimize physical status, has not been tested in upper gastrointestinal surgery to date.

Objective

To investigate whether prehabilitation is effective in improving functional status in patients undergoing esophagogastric cancer resection.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A randomized clinical trial (available-case analysis based on completed assessments) was conducted at McGill University Health Centre (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) comparing prehabilitation with a control group. Intervention consisted of preoperative exercise and nutrition optimization. Participants were adults awaiting elective esophagogastric resection for cancer. The study dates were February 13, 2013, to February 10, 2017.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was change in functional capacity, measured with absolute change in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). Preoperative (end of the prehabilitation period) and postoperative (from 4 to 8 weeks after surgery) data were compared between groups.

Results

Sixty-eight patients were randomized, and 51 were included in the primary analysis. The control group were a mean (SD) age, 68.0 (11.6) years and 20 (80%) men. Patients in the prehabilitation group were a mean (SD) age, 67.3 (7.4) years and 18 (69%) men. Compared with the control group, the prehabilitation group had improved functional capacity both before surgery (mean [SD] 6MWD change, 36.9 [51.4] vs -22.8 [52.5] m; P < .001) and after surgery (mean [SD] 6MWD change, 15.4 [65.6] vs -81.8 [87.0] m; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

Prehabilitation improves perioperative functional capacity in esophagogastric surgery. Keeping patients from physical and nutritional status decline could have a significant effect on the cancer care continuum.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01666158.

Improved patient outcomes using the enhanced recovery pathway in breast microsurgical reconstruction: a UK experience

Introduction

The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway is a protocol aimed at optimizing patient care by reducing the physiological alterations caused by surgery, thus reducing recovery time, surgical morbidities and length of stay. This study assessed the impact of ERAS on patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction.

Methods

Patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction over an eight-month period were retrospectively examined. LOS, complication rates and perioperative outcomes were analysed. Results were compared between patients admitted on the traditional recovery after surgery (TRAS) and the ERAS pathways.

Results

One hundred and thirty-eight patients were included. Seventy-two patients were admitted on the TRAS pathway and 66 patients on the ERAS pathway. There was no difference in median LOS (4 days) between the two groups, p = 0.48. We noted a significant reduction in the total number of major complications (ERAS 11%, TRAS 24% p = 0.04) as well as significant differences in time to catheter removal, time to independent mobilisation, total opioid usage and time to removal of PCA, all in favour of the ERAS group. There was a non-significant reduction in return to theatre and readmission rate in the ERAS group (11% versus 21% p = 0.1 and 6% versus 11% p = 0.29 respectively). Obesity and complications were predictors of a prolonged LOS.

Conclusion

The ERAS pathway reduced overall and major complication rates in a tertiary centre using an already streamlined service. Adoption of ERAS pathways to reduce surgical morbidities and improve patient care is encouraged. Further work is required to optimise enhanced recovery in breast microsurgical reconstruction.

Single center consecutive series cohort study of minimally invasive versus open resection for cancer in the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) has been introduced at many centers worldwide as evidence is accumulating that it reduces the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality and decreases the length of hospital stay compared to conventional open esophagectomy. The study is a single institution cohort study of 366 consecutive patients treated with curative intent for cancer in the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction, comparing MIE to open surgery. The outcomes studied were peroperative bleeding, operation time, lymph node yield, complications, length of stay and overall survival. The results showed that MIE was associated with reduced peroperative bleeding and operation time. The patients in the MIE group had a statistically significant reduced risk of postoperative complications, 60.2% compared to 78.8% in the open group. In the MIE group 28.4% of the patients had postoperative complications classified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system as grade IIIb-V compared to 38.2% in the open group, P = 0.046. Median hospital stay was reduced with 10 days comparing MIE to open surgery, P < 0.001. Mean number of resected lymph nodes was 31 in the MIE group and 22 in the open group (P < 0.001), while the R0 resections were 91.5% versus 85% (P = 0.057). Overall long-term survival was higher in the MIE group, a difference that however did not reach statistical significance (adjusted hazard ratio for three-year survival 0.76, 95% CI 0.54-1.08). In conclusion, MIE at a high volume center with a devoted specialist team reduces the risk of peroperative bleeding, operation time, and severe postoperative complications compared to open surgery for esophageal or junctional cancer. The number of resected lymph nodes was increased and the R0 resections were similar between the groups indicating a good oncological quality of the surgery.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: The Plastic Surgery Paradigm Shift

BACKGROUND

With a focus on providing high quality care and reducing facility based expenses there has been an evolution in perioperative care by way of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). ERAS allows for a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach to perioperative care which not only expedites recovery but maximizes patient outcomes. This paradigm shift has been generally accepted by most surgical specialties, including plastic surgery.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of ERAS on outcomes in cosmetic plastic surgery.

METHODS

A prospective study consisting of phone call questionnaires was designed where patients from two senior plastic surgeons (N.H.R. and J.D.F.) were followed. The treatment group (n = 10) followed an ERAS protocol while the control group (n = 12) followed the traditional recovery after surgery which included narcotic usage. Patients were contacted on postoperative days (POD) 0 through 7+ and surveyed about a number of outcomes measures.

RESULTS

The ERAS group demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative pain on POD 0, 1, 2, and 3 (all P < 0.01). There was also statistically less nausea/vomiting, fatigue/drowsiness, constipation, and hindrance on ambulation compared to the control group (all P < 0.05). Significance was achieved for reduction in fatigue/drowsiness on POD 0 and 1 (P < 0.01), as well as ability to ambulate on POD 0 and 3 (P = 0.044). Lastly, opioid use (P < 0.001) and constipation (P = 0.003) were decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

ERAS protocols have demonstrated their importance within multiple surgical fields, including cosmetic plastic surgery. The utility lies in the ability to expedite patient's recovery while still providing quality care. This study showed a reduction in postoperative complaints by avoiding narcotics without an increase in complications. Our findings signify the importance of ERAS protocols within cosmetic plastic surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4

Enhanced Recovery Pathway in Microvascular Autologous Tissue-Based Breast Reconstruction: Should It Become the Standard of Care?

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery pathway programs have demonstrated improved perioperative care and shorter length of hospital stay in several surgical disciplines. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of patients undergoing autologous tissue-based breast reconstruction before and after the implementation of an enhanced recovery pathway program.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent autologous tissue-based breast reconstruction performed by two surgeons before and after the implementation of the enhanced recovery pathway at a university center over a 3-year period. Patient demographics, perioperative data, and 45-day postoperative outcomes were compared between the traditional standard of care (pre-enhanced recovery pathway) and enhanced recovery pathway patients. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for length of hospital stay. Cost analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Between April of 2014 and January of 2017, 100 consecutive women were identified, with 50 women in each group. Both groups had similar demographics, comorbidities, and reconstruction types. Postoperatively, the enhanced recovery pathway cohort used significantly less opiate and more acetaminophen compared with the traditional standard of care cohort. Median length of stay was shorter in the enhanced recovery pathway cohort, which resulted in an extrapolated $279,258 savings from freeing up inpatient beds and increase in overall contribution margins of $189,342. Participation in an enhanced recovery pathway program and lower total morphine-equivalent use were independent predictors for decreased length of hospital stay. Overall 45-day major complication rates, partial flap loss rates, emergency room visits, hospital readmissions, and unplanned reoperations were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Enhanced recovery pathway program implementation should be considered as the standard approach for perioperative care in autologous tissue-based breast reconstruction because it does not affect morbidity and is associated with accelerated recovery with reduced postoperative opiate use and decreased length of hospital stay, leading to downstream health care cost savings.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, III.

[Economic aspects of oncological esophageal surgery : Centralization is essential]

The incidence of esophageal carcinoma has increased in recent years in Germany. The aim of this article is a discussion of the economic aspects of oncological esophageal surgery within the German diagnosis-related groups (DRG) system focusing on the association between minimum caseload requirements and outcome quality as well as costs. The margins for the DRG classification G03A are low and quickly exhausted if complications determine the postoperative course. A current study using nationwide German hospital discharge data proved a significant difference in hospital mortality between clinics with and without achieving the minimum caseload requirements for esophagectomy. Data from the USA clearly showed that besides patient-relevant parameters, the caseload of a surgeon is relevant for the cost of treatment. Such cost-related analyses do not exist in Germany at present. Scientific validation of reliable minimum caseload numbers for oncological esophagectomy is desirable in the future.

An Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Pathway for Microvascular Breast Reconstruction Is Safe and Effective

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

The aim of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a standardized perioperative enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) clinical care pathway in microsurgical abdominal-based breast reconstruction.

Methods:

Development of a clinical care pathway was informed by the latest ERAS guideline for breast reconstruction. Key features included shortened preoperative fasting, judicious fluids, multimodal analgesics, early oral nutrition, early Foley catheter removal, and early ambulation. There were 3 groups of women in this cohort study: (1) traditional historical control; (2) transition group with partial implementation; and (3) ERAS. Narcotic use, patient-reported pain scores, antiemetic use, time to regular diet, time to first walk, hospital length of stay, and 30-day postoperative complications were compared between the groups.

Results:

After implementation of the pathway, the use of parenteral narcotics was reduced by 88% (traditional, 112 mg; transition, 58 mg; ERAS, 13 mg; P < 0.0001), with no consequent increase in patient-reported pain. Patients in the ERAS cohort used less antiemetics (7.0, 5.3, 2.2 doses, P < 0.0001), returned to normal diet 19 hours earlier (46, 39, 27 hours, P < 0.0001), and walked 25 hours sooner (75, 70, 50 hours, P < 0.0001). Overall, hospital length of stay was reduced by 2 days in the ERAS cohort (6.6, 5.6, 4.8 days, P < 0.0001), without an increase in rates of major complications (9.5%, 10.1%, 8.3%, P = 0.9).

Conclusions:

A clinical care pathway in microsurgical breast reconstruction using the ERAS Society guideline promotes successful early recovery.

Integrated Care Planning for Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review

INTRODUCTION

There has been a growing emphasis on the use of integrated care plans to deliver cancer care. However little is known about how integrated care plans for cancer patients are developed including featured core activities, facilitators for uptake and indicators for assessing impact.

METHODS

Given limited consensus around what constitutes an integrated care plan for cancer patients, a scoping review was conducted to explore the components of integrated care plans and contextual factors that influence design and uptake.

RESULTS

Five types of integrated care plans based on the stage of cancer care: surgical, systemic, survivorship, palliative and comprehensive (involving a transition between stages) are described in current literature. Breast, esophageal and colorectal cancers were common disease sites. Multi-disciplinary teams, patient needs assessment and transitional planning emerged as key features. Provider buy-in and training alongside informational technology support served as important facilitators for plan uptake. Provider-level measurement was considerably less robust compared to patient and system-level indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

Similarities in design features, components and facilitators across the various types of integrated care plans indicates opportunities to leverage shared features and enable a management lens that spans the trajectory of a patient's journey rather than a phase-specific silo approach to care.

The economics of recovery after pancreatic surgery: detailed cost minimization analysis of an enhanced recovery program

BACKGROUND

Clinical pathways (CPW) are considered safe and effective at decreasing postoperative length of stay (LoS), but the effect on economic costs is uncertain. This study sought to elucidate the effect of a CPW on direct hospitalization costs for patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODS

A CPW for PD patients at a single Canadian institution was implemented. Outcomes included LoS, 30-day readmissions, and direct costs of hospital care. A retrospective cost minimization analysis compared patients undergoing PD prior to and following CPW implementation, using a bootstrapped t test and deviation-based cost modeling.

RESULTS

121 patients undergoing PD after CPW implementation were compared to 74 controls. Index LoS was decreased following CPW implementation (9 vs. 11 days, p = 0.005), as was total LoS (10 vs. 11 days, p = 0.003). The mean total cost of postoperative hospitalization per patient decreased in the CPW group ($15,678.45 CAD vs. $25,732.85 CAD, p = 0.024), as was the mean 30-day cost including readmissions ($16,627.15 CAD vs. $29,872.72 CAD, p = 0.016). Areas of significant cost savings included laboratory tests and imaging investigations.

CONCLUSIONS

CPWs may generate cost savings by reducing unnecessary investigations, and improve quality of care through process standardization and decreasing practice variation.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery Program in Liver Surgery

BACKGROUND

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have been shown to ease the postoperative recovery and improve clinical outcomes for various surgery types. ERAS cost-effectiveness was demonstrated for colorectal surgery but not for liver surgery. The present study aim was to analyze the implementation costs and benefits of a specific ERAS program in liver surgery.

METHODS

A dedicated ERAS protocol for liver surgery was implemented in our department in July 2013. The subsequent year all consecutive patients undergoing liver surgery were treated according to this protocol (ERAS group). They were compared in terms of real in-hospital costs with a patient series before ERAS implementation (pre-ERAS group). Mean costs per patient were compared with a bootstrap T test. A cost-minimization analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Seventy-four ERAS patients were compared with 100 pre-ERAS patients. There were no significant pre- and intraoperative differences between the two groups, except for the laparoscopy number (n = 18 ERAS, n = 9 pre-ERAS, p = 0.010). Overall postoperative complications were observed in 36 (49 %) and 64 patients (64 %) in the ERAS and pre-ERAS groups, respectively (p = 0.046). The median length of stay was significantly shorter for the ERAS group (8 vs. 10 days, p = 0.006). The total mean costs per patient were €38,726 and €42,356 for ERAS and pre-ERAS (p = 0.467). The cost-minimization analysis showed a total mean cost reduction of €3080 per patient after ERAS implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

ERAS implementation for liver surgery induced a non-significant decrease in cost compared to standard care. Significant decreased complication rate and hospital stay were observed in the ERAS group.

Component analysis of enhanced recovery pathways for esophagectomy

The objective of this systematic review is to identify key components of enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) that lead to improved length of hospital stay (LOS) following esophagectomy. Relevant electronic databases were searched for studies comparing clinical outcome from esophagectomy followed by a conventional pathway versus ERP. Relevant outcome measures were compared and metaregression was performed to identify the key ERP components associated with reduced in LOS. Thirteen publications were included, ERP was associated with no changes in in-hospital mortality, total complications, anastomotic leak, or pulmonary complications compared with a conventional pathway, however LOS was reduced in the ERP group. Metaregression identified that immediate extubation was associated with reduced LOS (OR = -0.51, 95%CI -0.77 to -0.25; P < 0.01). Several postoperative factors were associated with a significant reduction in length of hospital stay, and in order of most important were (i) gastrograffin swallow ≤5 days (OR = -4.27, 95%CI -4.50 to -4.03); (ii) mobilization on postoperative day ≤1 (OR = -2.49, 95%CI -2.63 to -2.34); (iii) removal of urinary catheter ≤2 days (OR = -0.99, 95%CI -1.15 to -0.84); (iv) oral intake with at least sips of fluid ≤1 day (OR = -0.96, 95%CI -1.24 to -0.68); (v) enteral diet with feeding jejunostomy or gastrostomy ≤ 1 day (OR = -0.57, 95%CI -0.80 to -0.35) and (vi) epidural removal ≤ 4 days (OR = -0.17, 95%CI -0.27 to -0.07). Several core ERP components and principles appear to be associated with LOS reduction. These elements should form a part of the core ERP for the specialty, while surgical teams incorporate other elements through an iterative process.

Economic Impact of an Enhanced Recovery Pathway for Lung Resection

BACKGROUND

Multimodal enhanced recovery pathways (ERP) improve clinical outcomes and hospital length of stay for patients undergoing lung resection. However, data supporting their economic impact is lacking. This study evaluated the effect of an ERP on costs of lung resection.

METHODS

Adult patients undergoing elective lung resection from August 2011 to August 2013 at a single university-affiliated institution were prospectively recruited. Pneumonectomies and extended resections were excluded. Beginning in September 2012, patients were enrolled in a multimodal ERP. Outcomes were recorded until 90 days after discharge. Total costs from institutional, health care system, and societal perspectives are reported in 2016 Canadian dollars, with uncertainty expressed as 95% confidence intervals derived using bootstrapped estimates (10,000 repetitions).

RESULTS

The study included 133 patients (conventional care: n = 58; ERP: n = 75). Patient and operative characteristics were similar between the groups. The ERP group had shorter median (interquartile range) length of stay (4 [3 to 6] days vs 6 [4 to 9] days, p < 0.01), decreased total complications (32% vs 52%, p = 0.02), and decreased pulmonary complications (16% vs 34%, p = 0.01), with no difference in readmissions. After discharge, there was a trend towards less caregiver burden for the ERP group (53 ± 90 hours vs 101 ± 252 hours, p = 0.17). Overall societal costs were lower in the ERP group (mean difference per patient: -$4,396 Canadian; 95% confidence interval -$8,674 to $618 Canadian).

CONCLUSIONS

A multidisciplinary ERP is associated with improved clinical outcomes and societal cost savings compared with conventional perioperative management for elective lung resection.

Enhanced recovery protocols after oesophagectomy

The feasibility and safety of enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) have been demonstrated in a large number of surgical specialties. Several studies have shown improved post-operative outcomes and economic benefit from the use of ERPs in oesophageal cancer surgery. However, these improvements are not always translated more widely into clinical practice due to variation in protocols, poor compliance and failure to implement a robust implementation strategy. ERP implementation strategies should reflect the fact that these are complex interventions that are influenced by a wide range of social, organizational and cultural factors.

Nutrition in peri-operative esophageal cancer management

Nutritional status and dietary intake are increasingly recognized as essential areas in esophageal cancer management. Nutritional management of esophageal cancer is a continuously evolving field and comprises an interesting area for scientific research. Areas covered: This review encompasses the current literature on nutrition in the pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative phases of esophageal cancer. Both established interventions and potential novel targets for nutritional management are discussed. Expert commentary: To ensure an optimal pre-operative status and to reduce peri-operative complications, it is key to assess nutritional status in all pre-operative esophageal cancer patients and to apply nutritional interventions accordingly. Since esophagectomy results in a permanent anatomical change, a special focus on nutritional strategies is needed in the post-operative phase, including early initiation of enteral feeding, nutritional interventions for post-operative complications, and attention to long-term nutritional intake and status. Nutritional aspects of pre-optimization and peri-operative management should be incorporated in novel Enhanced Recovery After Surgery programs for esophageal cancer.

Thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy and enhanced recovery after surgery

Thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy has already become a common procedure of minimally invasive esophagectomy. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a series of ways that use multidisciplinary care methods to minimize surgical stress and hasten recovery. ERAS has obvious advantages in decreasing postoperative complications, shortening postoperative hospital stay, reducing medical costs, and increasing the satisfaction of patients. Under the guidance of ERAS, thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy combined with optimized measures taken in perioperative period will be the future development direction of esophagectomy.

Standardized clinical pathways for esophagectomy are not a reality in Brazil, even with a high prevalence of esophageal cancer and achalasia

Background:

The adoption of standardized protocols and specialized multidisciplinary teams for esophagectomy involve changes in routines with the implantation of expensive clinical practices and deviations from ingrained treatment philosophies.

Aim:

To evaluate the prevalence of standardized protocols and specialized multidisciplinary teams in São Paulo state, Brazil.

Methods:

Institutions that routinely perform esophagectomies in São Paulo were contacted and questioned about the work team involved in the procedure and the presence of standardized routines in the preoperatory care.

Results:

Fifteen centers answered the questionnaire: 10 (67%) public institutions and five (33%) private. There were seven (47%) medical schools, six (40%) with a residency program and two (13%) nonacademic institutions. The mean number of esophagectomies per year was 23. There was a multidisciplinary pre-operative team in nine (60%). There was a multidisciplinary postoperative team in 11 (73%). Early mobilization protocol was adopted in 12 (80%) institutions, early feeding in 13 (87%), routinely epidural in seven (47%), analgesia protocol in seven (47%), hydric restriction in six (40%), early extubation in six (40%), standardized hospitalization time in four (27%) and standardized intensive care time in two (13%).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of standardized protocols and specialized teams is very low in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The presence of specialized surgeons is a reality and standardized protocols related directly to surgeons have higher frequency than those related to other professionals in the multidisciplinary team.

Intra-operative hypotensive episodes may be associated with post-operative esophageal anastomotic leak

This study aims to report the hypotensive episodes (HEs) during esophagectomy and their influence on the occurrence of anastomotic leak. Eighty-four patients underwent esophagectomy with gastric pull-up. Pre-, intra-, and post-operative data were prospectively collected. HEs were defined by systolic pressure decreasing more than 30 % of the basal value for more than 5 min. Nineteen patients had intra-operative HEs (22.6 %). HEs were significantly more frequent in patients undergoing prone esophagectomy (P = 0.001) and those with an epidural catheter (EC) (P = 0.04) used during surgery. Among them, 15 were treated with vasopressors. There were six severe post-operative anastomotic leaks, which required surgery; leaks were significantly more common in patients with intra-operative HEs (21 vs 3.1 %; P = 0.02), especially those treated with vasopressive agents (20 vs 0 %; P = 0.008). Intra-operative use of EC can, in certain conditions, significantly influence gastric blood flow due to HEs. A higher incidence of severe leak occurred in patients experiencing intra-operative HEs. Several factors can lead to intra-operative HEs, and the perioperative use of an EC should be carefully evaluated.