Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Older Adults Undergoing Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery - Evidence and Practice

AbstractEnhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a global initiative comprised of a series of evidence-based interventions in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative surgical phases. When implemented as a bundle, ERAS interventions both improve clinical outcomes and provide cost savings to the health care system. This review provides an update on the current evidence for individual ERAS elements to improve quality of care as well as practical recommendations for multidisciplinary teams to implement their own ERAS programs.

Factors involved in the development of hospital-acquired conditions in older patients in acute care settings: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Older patients hospitalized in acute care settings are at significant risk of presenting hospital-acquired conditions. Healthcare professionals should consider many factors involved in the development of such conditions, including factors related to the patients, as well as those related to the processes of care and the structure of hospitals. The aim of this study was to describe and identify the factors involved in the development of hospital-acquired conditions in older patients in acute care settings.

METHODS

A scoping review was performed based on a structured search in eight databases in September 2022. Data were extracted with an extraction tool and classified into categories. Mapping and a narrative summary were used to synthetize data.

RESULTS

A total of 237 articles were included in the scoping review. Functional decline and delirium were the most frequent hospital-acquired conditions studied. Among all categories, factors related to the patients provided most of the data, whereas factors related to the processes of care and the structure of hospitals were less frequently explored. In most articles, one or two categories of factors were retrieved; fewer articles examined factors among three categories. Personal factors, medications, and the human and work environment were the most frequent subcategories of factors retrieved, whereas social factors, hydration and nutrition, and organizational factors were less common.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of hospital-acquired conditions in older patients in acute care settings involves many factors related to the patients, as well as to the processes of care and the structure of hospitals. Prevention of hospital-acquired conditions must involve to consider the complexities of older patients and of acute care hospitals. Not considering all categories of factors might affect the implementation of new practices of care and interventions.

The impact of sleep interventions combined with enhanced nutritional support on sleep quality, nutritional status, pain management, psychological well-being, and quality of life in postoperative colon cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the synergistic effects of combined sleep interventions and enhanced nutritional support on postoperative recovery in colon cancer patients, with a focus on sleep quality, nutritional status, pain management, psychological well-being, and quality of life.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial included 290 postoperative colon cancer patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between May 2021 and May 2023. Participants were randomized into two groups: the intervention group, which received standard care supplemented with sleep and nutritional interventions, and the control group, which received standard care alone. Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), nutritional markers (serum albumin, prealbumin, body weight, etc.), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Self-Rating Anxiety and Depression Scales (SAS, SDS), and EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life scores.

RESULTS

The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements across all assessed domains compared to the control group ( P < 0.005 after Bonferroni correction). Sleep quality (PSQI: 7.81 vs. 10.43, d = 0.81) and nutritional markers (e.g., prealbumin: 230.19 mg/L vs. 188.01 mg/L, d = 1.21 ) improved markedly. Similarly, reductions in pain (VAS: 2.65 vs. 5.19,d = 1.09 ), anxiety (SAS: 42.03 vs. 49.45, d = 0.88), and depression (SDS: 38.17 vs. 49.77,d = 1.02 ) were observed. Quality of life scores significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (EORTC QLQ-C30: 99.29 vs. 88.41, d = 0.92).

CONCLUSION

The combined intervention of sleep enhancement and nutritional support significantly accelerated postoperative recovery in colon cancer patients, demonstrating synergistic effects that improved physical, psychological, and quality-of-life outcomes. These findings underscore the value of integrating multifaceted interventions into standard postoperative care to optimize recovery trajectories and overall well-being.

Addition of anal encirclement to perineal proctosigmoidectomy: a retrospective review

Background

The optimal approach for the surgical management of rectal prolapse is individualized based on anatomical, functional, and surgical factors. In patients with significant comorbidities, perineal approaches are often preferred even though they are associated with higher recurrence rates compared to an abdominal approach. Although anal encirclement was one of the first procedures described for this condition, it is seldom employed given its high recurrence rates. There is currently a lack of data addressing a combination surgery, wherein both a perineal proctosigmoidectomy and anal encirclement are performed simultaneously.

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy of combining perineal proctosigmoidectomy with anal encirclement using Nylon sutures compared to perineal proctosigmoidectomy alone.

Methods

This was a single institution, non-randomized, retrospective study conducted at the Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (July 2017 to October 2022). Patients over the age of 18 with full-thickness rectal prolapse who underwent either perineal proctosigmoidectomy alone or perineal proctosigmoidectomy with anal encirclement were included. There were 23 patients in the perineal proctosigmoidectomy group and 21 patients in the perineal proctosigmoidectomy with anal encirclement group. The primary outcome was prolapse recurrence. Secondary outcomes included operative time, length of hospital stay, and post-operative complications.

Results

Patients who received perineal proctosigmoidectomy with anal encirclement had significantly lower rates of recurrent prolapse (9.5%) compared to perineal proctosigmoidectomy alone (34.8%) (p = 0.02). Patients who underwent the combined procedure had a shorter length of stay by 2.3 days (p = 0.03). There was no difference in post-operative complications or operating time.

Conclusions

Routine anal encirclement in perineal proctosigmoidectomy reduces recurrence rates and length of stay without increasing operating time or complications.

Navigating the Surgical Pathway for Frail, Older Adults Undergoing Colorectal Surgery

Adults ≥ 65 years of age comprise nearly 20% of the U.S. population and over half of surgical patients. Older adults, particularly when frail, may require additional preoperative evaluation and counseling, specialized hospital care, and may experience more noticeable physical and cognitive changes than younger or healthier patients. Surgeons can assess frailty and risk using several frailty measures, as data exist demonstrating worse perioperative outcomes among patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Prehabilitation programs have not been shown to improve surgical outcomes for colorectal surgery patients but may help maintain physical function or hasten recovery to baseline around the time of surgery, particularly for frail patients. Functional decline and delirium are common postoperatively in older adult patients, particularly those who are frail at baseline, and should be discussed with at-risk older adults. Primary care physicians and geriatricians can help with in-depth evaluation of frailty and geriatric syndromes. Special attention to the risks, outcomes, and care of older adults considering or undergoing colorectal surgery can help inform decision-making, which may facilitate goal-concordant care.

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.

Postoperative pain management using high-dose oral acetaminophen for enhanced recovery after colorectal cancer surgery

PURPOSE

Postoperative pain management is important for enhanced recovery. High-dose oral acetaminophen is effective; however, the safety of its long-term use has not been established in gastrointestinal surgeries. This study aimed to investigate drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in patients with colorectal cancer using high-dose acetaminophen.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-eight consecutive colorectal cancer using high-dose oral acetaminophen (3600 mg/day between postoperative day 1 and 7) were enrolled.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-nine patients (88.7%) completed the administration of high-dose oral acetaminophen. DILI occurred in 58 patients (34.5%), and the cumulative incidence rates were 20.4% and 37.9% on postoperative 6 and 7, respectively. The severity of liver injury was grade 1 in all cases and returned to normal without treatment. Patients with DILI had a higher frequency of dyslipidemia (44.8% vs. 23.6%, P = 0.0047) and M1 staging (10.3% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.0036). A multivariate analysis showed that the presence of dyslipidemia (OR 2.61, P = 0.0067) and M1 stage (OR 12.4, P = 0.0053) were independent risk factors for DILI.

CONCLUSION

The long-term use of high-dose oral acetaminophen in colorectal cancer patients enrolled in enhanced recovery protocols is feasible. Moreover, the presence of dyslipidemia and M status are risk factors for DILI.

Effects of multimodal prehabilitation and exercise prehabilitation on patients undergoing colorectal surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background

Multimodal prehabilitation and exercise prehabilitation are important processes for patients undergoing colorectal surgery. There are no reviews simultaneously analysing the effects of both types of prehabilitation for patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and CINAHL Plus with Full Text for relevant randomised controlled trials on multimodal prehabilitation and exercise prehabilitation. The primary outcomes in our meta-analysis were functional capacity, hospital length of stay, postoperative complications, anxiety, and depression scores.

Results

We included 17 studies involving 1961 for colorectal surgery patients. The results of the meta-analysis suggested that multimodal prehabilitation could improve functional capacity (the 6-minute walk test) in patients undergoing colorectal surgery (mean difference (MD) = 29.00; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 26.64-31.36). In the subgroup analysis, multimodal prehabilitation improved functional capacity only preoperatively (MD = 34.77; 95% CI = 16.76-52.77) and did not improve the length of stay, postoperative complication, and anxiety and depression scores. Exercise prehabilitation did not show a positive effect on functional capacity, the length of stay, postoperative complication, and anxiety and depression scores.

Conclusions

Compared with exercise prehabilitation, multimodal prehabilitation was more likely improve the functional ability of patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Besides, the effects of multimodal prehabilitation or exercise prehabilitation on the length of stay, postoperative complications and anxiety and depression scores of colorectal surgery patients were not found.

Registration

PROSPERO: CRD42023453438.

A Retrospective Comparison Trial Investigating Aggregate Length of Stay Post Implementation of Seven Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols between 2015 and 2022

(1) Introduction: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols can create a cultural shift that will benefit patients by significantly reducing patient length of stay when compared to an equivalent group of surgical patients not following an ERAS protocol. (2) Methods: In this retrospective study of 2236 patients in a multi-center, community-based healthcare system, matching was performed based on a multitude of variables related to demographics, comorbidities, and surgical outcomes across seven ERAS protocols. These cohorts were then compared pre and post ERAS protocol implementation. (3) Results: ERAS protocols significantly reduced hospital length of stay from 3.0 days to 2.1 days (p <0.0001). Additional significant outcomes included reductions in opioid consumption from 40 morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) to 20 MMEs (p <0.001) and decreased pain scores on postoperative day zero (POD 0), postoperative day one (POD 1), and postoperative day two (POD 2) when stratified into mild, moderate, and severe pain (p <0.001 on all three days). (4) Conclusions: ERAS protocols aggregately reduce hospital length of stay, pain scores, and opioid consumption.

Sixth Annual Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Symposium highlights: work in progress or standard care?

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have demonstrated effectiveness in accelerating patient recovery and improving outcomes. Since the systemwide implementation of ERAS protocols at Baylor Scott & White Health, an annual multidisciplinary conference has provided a review of outcomes and advancements in the ERAS program. This meeting, coined the ERAS symposium, allows providers who utilize recovery protocols to collaborate with national and international leaders in the field to improve the clinical care of patients. The sixth annual ERAS symposium was held on February 10, 2023, and provided key presentations that discussed the latest results from ERAS efforts across multiple surgical specialties along with updates in anesthesia, nursing, and nutrition. A summary of those presentations, which included perioperative glycemic control, misconceptions in pain management, and emerging ERAS protocols in different surgical specialties, is provided to document the system progress.

Acupoint Stimulation for Enhanced Recovery After Colon Surgery: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) in improving bowel function and thus shortening hospital stay after laparoscopic colon surgery within the ERAS pathway.

Patients and Methods

From November 2016 to March 2018, 100 patients who underwent elective colon surgery were enrolled and 94 finished study (n = 47 for each) in three university hospitals. Patients in the TEAS group received TEAS 30 min before surgery and once a day for 3 days after surgery, while those in the Control Group received no stimulation. Primary outcome was the time to discharge.

Results

Compared with standardized postoperative care, TEAS resulted in a shorter time to first flatus (P=0.03) and time to first defecation (P=0.03), as well as a reduction in the length of hospital stay (P=0.02). Median patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) deliveries and PCA attempts at 24h, 48h and 72h after surgery were less in the TEAS group (P<0.01). No evidence of significant advantages in postoperative pain intensity, nausea, vomiting, sleeping quality and expenses was found in the TEAS group.

Conclusion

Perioperative TEAS further shortens the time to meet discharge criteria after laparoscopic colon surgery in patients under ERAS strategy.

Framework, component, and implementation of enhanced recovery pathways

The introduction of enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) has led to a considerable paradigm shift towards evidence-based, multidisciplinary perioperative care. Such pathways are now widely implemented in a variety of surgical specialties, with largely positive results. In this narrative review, we summarize the principles, components and implementation of ERPs, focusing on recent developments in the field. We also discuss ‘special cases’ in ERPs, including: surgery in frail patients; emergency procedures; and patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19).

Effect of the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol on recovery after laparoscopic myomectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Surgery is the recommended treatment for uterine leiomyoma but it still has issues like postoperative complications and slow recovery. The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol could probably reduce traumatic stress and promote the rapid postoperative recovery of patients, but there are controversies for the results of different studies. This meta-analysis was performed to resolve the controversies and provide evidence for the application of ERAS in gynecology.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, Ovid, CNKI (China), Wanfang Data (China), and Google Scholar databases were searched to recruit all studies on the application of ERAS in laparoscopic myomectomy up to November 2021. The inclusion criteria of studies was established according to the PICOS principles. the Cochrane RoB 2.0 and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) scale were used to assess the bias of the studies, RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Ten studies that met the criteria were finally included with 1,441 participants. Eight of them were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two were cohort studies, all of them were with low level of bias. Meta-analysis showed that ERAS protocol after laparoscopic myomectomy could significantly shorten the first time getting out of bed after surgery [mean difference (MD) =-4.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): (-7.35, -2.36); P=0.0001], the first defecation time after surgery [MD =-4.69; 95% CI: (-5.68, -3.69); P<0.00001], and the postoperative hospital stay [MD =-1.32, 95% CI: (-2.08, -0.56); P=0.0007]. It could also markedly reduce the patient readmission rate [odds ratio (OR) =0.42; 95% CI: (0.23, 0.76); P=0.004], and notably reduced the incidence of complications [OR =0.37; 95% CI: (0.22, 0.61); Z=3.82; P=0.0001]. Yet, the cost of the ERAS protocol was not significantly different from that of routine care [MD =-127.76, 95% CI: (-997.19, 741.66); P=0.77].

DISCUSSION

The application of ERAS protocol after gynecological laparoscopic myomectomy can shorten the first defecation time, first time out of bed, hospital stay, and reduce the readmission rate as well as the incidence of postoperative complications, without additional costs. But still there was heterogeneity among the studies, the topic still deserved further exploration.