Decreased length of stay and earlier oral feeding associated with standardized postoperative clinical care for total gastrectomies at a cancer center

How to identify early complications in patients undergoing distal gastrectomy?

In this editorial we comment on the article by Zhang et al published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. Gastrectomy with appropriate lymph node dissection is still standard curative treatment in locally advanced gastric cancer. Several studies point out that gastric cancer surgery is a complex procedure that leads to a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Many factors can contribute to the onset of complications with consequent effects on prognosis and increased mortality. The complications can be divided in complications related to anastomosis, to motility and to surgical site infection. The study presented by Zhang B et al represent an interesting analysis on the possibility to prevent postoperative morbidity. The study was performed on 131 patients with distal gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. Of these patients, 16% developed early postoperative complications. The univariate analysis showed that prealbumin level, hypertension, diabetes, history of abdominal surgery, R0 resection, and blood transfusion were factors influencing early postoperative complications after distal gastrectomy. Moreover, the inclusion of the above significant variables in the logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension, diabetes, a history of abdominal surgery, and blood transfusion were independent predictors of postoperative complications. In conclusion, preoperative and intraoperative factors can be used to establish an early postoperative nomogram model. The results of the study presented by Zhang et al suggest that the prediction model can be used to guide the detection of postoperative complications and has clinical reference value.

Postoperative mortality and morbidity after D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Surgery for gastric cancer is a complex procedure and lymphadenectomy is often mandatory. Postoperative mortality and morbidity after curative gastric cancer surgery is not insignificant.

AIM

To evaluate the factors determining mortality and morbidity in a population of patients undergoing R0 resection and D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of clinical data and pathological characteristics (age, sex, primary site of the tumor, Lauren histotype, number of positive lymph nodes resected, number of negative lymph nodes resected, and depth of invasion as defined by the standard nomenclature) was conducted in patients with gastric cancer. For each patient we calculated the Kattan's score. We arbitrarily divided the study population of patients into two groups based on the nomogram score (< 100 points or ≥ 100 points). Prespecified subgroups in these analyses were defined according to age (≤ 65 years or > 65 years), and number of lymph nodes retrieved (≤ 35 lymph nodes or > 35 lymph nodes). Uni- and multivariate analysis of clinical and pathological findings were performed to identify the factors affecting postoperative mortality and morbidity.

RESULTS

One-hundred and eighty-six patients underwent a curative R0 resection with D2 lymphadenectomy. Perioperative mortality rate was 3.8% (7 patients); a higher mortality rate was observed in patients aged > 65 years (P = 0.002) and in N+ patients (P = 0.04). Following univariate analysis, mortality was related to a Kattan's score ≥ 100 points (P = 0.04) and the presence of advanced gastric cancer (P = 0.03). Morbidity rate was 21.0% (40 patients). Surgical complications were observed in 17 patients (9.1%). A higher incidence of morbidity was observed in patients where more than 35 lymph nodes were harvested (P = 0.0005).

CONCLUSION

Mortality and morbidity rate are higher in N+ and advanced gastric cancer patients. The removal of more than 35 lymph nodes does not lead to an increase in mortality.

Establishment of a Fast-Track Gastrectomy Pathway for Patients with Gastric Adenocarcinoma at a U.S. Academic Cancer Center

INTRODUCTION

Implementation of fast-track perioperative care pathways for gastric cancer patients in the U.S. has been challenging due to low disease incidence and limited safety and efficacy data. Our institution recently implemented such a pathway for gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy, and we sought to study its effects.

METHODS

We analyzed data from consecutive patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma from January 2014 to August 2020. Patients who had surgery for recurrence, urgent surgery for obstruction, bleeding, or perforation, or an intrathoracic anastomosis were excluded. The primary predictor was whether the patient had surgery before or after implementation of a perioperative fast-track gastrectomy pathway in July 2018, and the primary outcome was length of stay.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty patients were identified, 109 pre-pathway implementation and 51 post-pathway implementation. Following pathway implementation, length of stay was significantly shorter (median 6 days versus 9 days, p < 0.001), and there was no significant difference in 30-day complication rates (29% pre versus 24% post, P = 0.56) or readmission rates (18% pre versus 16% post, P = 0.85). Using linear segmented regression analysis adjusting for age, body mass index, tumor stage (early versus late), type of surgery (distal/subtotal versus total gastrectomy), and approach (open versus minimally invasive), pathway implementation was found to be associated with a 31% decreased length of stay (effect size 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.49 - 0.98, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Fast-track gastrectomy care pathways are safe and feasible for U.S. gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy and are associated with decreased length of stay.

Enhanced Recovery After Major Gastrectomy for Cancer

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have gained increasing popularity over the past 10 years, and its overarching objectives are to improve perioperative morbidity and reduce postoperative length of stay. Consensus guidelines from the ERAS Society specific to major gastrectomy were published in 2014, however since that time, prospective and retrospective studies have expanded the collective evidence for both the content and efficacy of ERAS pathways for gastrectomy. This objective of this review was to summarize recent data pertinent to the preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative management of gastrectomy patients along an ERAS pathway.

Safety of early oral feeding after total laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer (SOFTLY): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths and has the fifth highest incidence worldwide, especially in eastern Asia, central and Eastern Europe, and South America. Currently, surgery is the only curative treatment for gastric cancer; however, there is an increasing trend toward laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Early oral feeding (EOF) has been shown to benefit clinical outcomes compared with open gastrectomy under conditions of enhanced recovery after surgery. There are a lack of guidelines and evidence for the safety and feasibility of EOF in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Thus, a prospective randomized trial is warranted.

METHODS/DESIGN

The EOF after total laparoscopic radical gastrectomy (SOFTLY) study is a single-center, parallel-arm, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial which will enroll 200 patients who are pathologically diagnosed with gastric cancer and undergo laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. The primary endpoint, incidence of anastomotic leakage, is based on 1.9% in the control group in the CLASS-01 study. The patients will be randomized (1:1) into two groups: the EOF group will receive a clear liquid diet on post-operative day 1 (POD1) and the delayed oral feeding (DOF) group will receive a clear liquid diet on post-operative day 4 (POD4). The demographic and pathologic characteristics will be recorded. Total and oral nutritional intake, general data, total serum protein, serum albumin, blood glucose, and temperature will be recorded before surgery and at the time of hospitalization. Adverse events will also be recorded. The occurrence of post-operative fistulas, including anastomotic leakage, will be recorded as the main severe post-operative adverse event and represent the primary endpoint.

DISCUSSION

The safety and feasibility of EOF after gastrectomy has not been established. The SOFTLY trial will be the first randomized controlled trial involving total laparoscopic radical gastrectomy, in which the EOF group (POD1) will be compared with the DOF group (POD4). The results of the SOFTLY trial will provide data on the safety and feasibility of EOF after total laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-15007660 . Registered on 28 December 2015. The study has full ethical and institutional approval.

Intravenous overload of fluids and sodium may contribute to the lower infusion of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of intravenous infusion of fluids and sodium on the first day of admission on infusion of enteral nutrition in the first 5 days in intensive care patients.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted with critical nonsurgical patients admitted for at least 5 days who were on mechanical ventilation and receiving enteral nutrition. The amount of intravenous fluids and sodium infused on the first day and the volume of enteral nutrition infused in the first 5 days were investigated. The volume of intravenous fluids > 35mL/kg or ≤ 35mL/kg of body weight and sodium (above or below the 25th percentile) infused on the first day was compared with infused enteral nutrition.

RESULTS

A total of 86 patients were studied, with a mean (± standard deviation) of 65 ± 17 years, of which 54.7% were female. On the first day, 3,393.7 ± 1,417.0mL of fluid (48.2 ± 23.0mL/kg) and 12.2 ± 5.1g of sodium were administered. Fifty-eight (67.4%) patients received more than 35mL/kg of fluids. In 5 days, 67 ± 19.8% (2,993.8 ± 1,324.4mL) of the prescribed enteral nutrition was received. Patients who received > 35mL/kg of intravenous fluids also received less enteral nutrition in 5 days (2,781.4 ± 1,337.9 versus 3,433.6 ± 1,202.2mL; p = 0.03) versus those who received ≤ 35mL/kg. Patients with intravenous sodium infusion above the 25th percentile (≥ 8.73g) on the first day received less enteral nutrition volume in 5 days (2,827.2 ± 1,398.0 versus 3,509.3 ± 911.9mL; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study support the assumption that the administration of intravenous fluids > 35mL/kg and sodium ≥ 8.73g on the first day of hospitalization may contribute to the lower infusion of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients.

EARLY ORAL FEEDING POST-UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT RESECTION AND PRIMARY ANASTOMOSIS IN ONCOLOGY

Background:

The practice of starving patients in the immediate period after upper gastrointestinal surgery is widespread. Early oral intake has been shown to be feasible and may result in faster recovery and decrease length of hospital.

Aim:

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of oral nutrition on postoperative early feeding after upper gastrointestinal surgeries.

Methods:

Observational cohort design study with convenience retrospective data in both genders, over 18 years, undergoing to total gastrectomy and/or elective esophagectomy. They have received oral or enteral nutrition in less than 48 h after surgery, and among those who started with enteral nutrition, the oral feeding up to seven days.

Results:

The study was performed in 161 patients, 24 (14.9%) submitted to esophagectomy, 132 (82%) to total gastrectomy and five (3.1%) to esophagogastrectomy. Was observed good dietary acceptance and low percentage (29%) of gastrointestinal intolerances, more pronounced among those with enteral diet. Most of the patients did not present postoperative complications, 11 (6.8%) were reopened, five (3.1%) had fistulas, three (1.9%) wound dehiscence, three (1.9%) fistula more wound dehiscence and six (3.7%) other non-infectious complications.

Conclusion:

Early oral diet is safe and viable for patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery.

A systematic review of feeding practices among postoperative patients: is practice in-line with evidenced-based guidelines?

BACKGROUND

Early oral feeding after surgery is best practice among adult, noncritically ill patients. Evidenced-based guidelines (EBG) recommend commencing liquid and solid feeding within 24 h of surgery to improve patient (e.g. reduced morbidity) and hospital (e.g. reduced length of stay) outcomes. Whether these EBG are adhered to in usual clinical practice remains unknown. The present study aimed to identify the time to commencement of first oral feed (liquid or solid) and first solid feed among postoperative, noncritically ill, adult patients.

METHODS

MEDLINE, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to June 2016 for observational studies reporting liquid and/or solid feeding practices among postoperative patients. Studies reporting a mean/median time to first feed or first solid feed within 24 h of surgery or where ≥75% of patients were feeding by postoperative day one were considered in-line with EBG.

RESULTS

Of 5826 articles retrieved, 29 studies were included. Only 40% and 22% of studies reported time to first feed and time to first solid feed in-line with EBG, respectively. Clear and free liquids were the first diet types commenced in 86% of studies. When solids were commenced, 44% of studies reported using various therapeutic diet types (e.g. light) prior to the commencement of a regular diet. Patients who underwent gastrointestinal procedures appeared more likely to experience delayed postoperative feeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate a gap between postoperative feeding evidence and its practical application. This information provides a strong rationale for interventions targeting improved nutritional care following surgery.

Chewing gum for intestinal function recovery after caesarean section: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Gum chewing has been reported to enhance the intestinal function recovery after caesarean section, current perspectives and practice guidelines vary widely on the use of gum chewing, more studies on the role of gum chewing after caesarean section are needed.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive, systematic meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of gum chewing after caesarean section. Studies were identified by searching EMBASE et al database (until June 30, 2016). Summary odd ratios or weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each outcome with fixed- or random-effects model.

Results

Ten RCTs with a total of 1659 women were included in our meta-analysis. Gum chewing provided significant benefits in reducing the time to first passage of flatus, first defecation, first bowel sound, first bowel movement and the length of hospital stay, but not in the time to first feeling of hunger.

Conclusions

Gun chewing hastens the intestinal function recovery after caesarean section and offers a safe and inexpensive option. High-quality and larger-scale RCTs are still warranted to clarify the role of gum chewing in intestinal function recovery after caesarean section.