Randomized clinical trial investigating the stress response from two different methods of analgesia after laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: One of the key elements of managed recovery is thought to be suppression of the neuroendocrine response using regional analgesics. This may be superfluous in laparoscopic colorectal surgery with small wounds. This trial assessed the effects of spinal analgesia versus intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) on neuroendocrine responses in that setting. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted with participation of patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery within a managed recovery programme. Consenting patients were allocated randomly to spinal analgesia or morphine PCA as primary postoperative analgesia. The primary outcome was interleukin (IL) 6 levels; secondary outcomes were levels of cortisol, glucose, insulin and other cytokines, pain scores, morphine use and length of hospital stay. Stress response analysis was conducted before operation, and 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery. RESULTS: Of 143 eligible patients, 133 were randomized and 120 completed the study. Baseline patient characteristics were similar in the two groups. There were no significant differences in median levels of insulin, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, interferon γ, tumour necrosis factor α or vascular endothelial growth factor between the spinal analgesia and PCA groups at any time point. Three hours after surgery (but at no other time point) median (i.q.r.) levels of cortisol (468 (329-678) versus 701 (429-820) nmol/l; P = 0.004) and glucose (6.1 (5.4-7.5) versus 7.0 (6.0-7.7) mmol/l; P = 0.012) were lower in the spinal analgesia group than in the PCA group. Median (i.q.r.) levels of total intravenous morphine were lower in the spinal analgesia group (10.0 (3.3-15.8) versus 45.5 (34.0-60.5) mg; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Spinal analgesia reduced early neuroendocrine responses and overall parenteral morphine use. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01128088 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Intra-operative oxygen delivery in infusion volume-optimized patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery within an enhanced recovery programme: the effect of different analgesic modalities.

AIM: Patients undergoing major open surgery who have an indexed oxygen delivery (DO(2) I) > 600 ml/min/m(2) have been shown to have a lower incidence of morbidity and mortality compared with those whose DO(2) I is below this level. Laparoscopy and Trendelenburg positioning cause a reduction in DO(2) I. We aimed to quantify the effect of the type of analgesia on DO(2) I and to correlate the DO(2) I achieved with the incidence of anastomotic leakage in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. METHOD: Following ethical approval, patients were randomized to receive spinal anaesthesia (Group S), epidural analgesia (Group E) or intravenous morphine (Group P) followed by postoperative patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). In addition to standard monitoring, oesophageal Doppler monitoring of the stroke volume allowed directed intravenous fluid therapy. The mean DO(2) I was compared with the anastomotic leakage rate. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were recruited (Group S, 27; Group E, 23; Group P, 25). The mean (range) DO(2) I for all patients was 490 (230-750) ml/min/m(2) . The analgesic modality had no effect on DO(2) I. Of the 18 patients with a DO(2) I of < 400 ml/min/m(2) , four (22%) developed anastomotic leakage compared with one (%) of the 57 patients with a DO(2) I of > 400 ml/min/m(2) (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The analgesic modality used had no effect on the DO(2) I achieved. Anastomotic leakage was significantly higher in patients with a DO(2) I of < 400 ml/min/m(2) . A further study assessing the outcome after raising the DO(2) I with inotropes is required.

Optimizing patient outcomes in laparoscopic surgery.

There is increasing recognition that the entire peri-operative care delivered plays a vital role in determining patient's outcome. Optimisation of this care helps to prevent complications beyond immediate morbidity and mortality. Of the 20 factors described in Enhanced Recovery Programmes, some have a greater impact than others, with analgesia and fluid therapy being two of the main factors. 1 Analgesia - The main analgesic regimes used so far for laparoscopic colorectal surgery have been continuous thoracic epidural and patient controlled analgesia. There is a growing body of opinion that epidural analgesia may not be required for laparoscopic surgery. 2 Individualised goal directed therapy - It is now recognized that measuring flow rather than pressure within the cardiovascular system is more important. Fluid therapy impacts on the outcome by minimizing fluid shifts, optimizing stroke volume and restricting the salt load given whilst maintaining normovolaemia. Analgesia and fluid therapy, together with the remaining enhanced recovery criteria have led to the development of the trimodal approach.

23-hour-stay laparoscopic colectomy.

PURPOSE: The combination of laparoscopic colorectal surgery together with an enhanced recovery program has resulted in short hospital stays. The purpose of this study was to assess the acceptability and safety of a 23-hour-stay protocol developed for patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy. METHODS: Patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal resection who met the inclusion criteria were invited to participate in the study. A specific preoperative, anesthetic, and postoperative protocol was used. Patients were discharged 23 hours after the start of surgery. Follow-up was by telephone contact on the evening of the day of discharge with outpatient follow-up at Day 3. RESULTS: Ten patients were included in the study. All patients were discharged within 23 hours from the commencement of surgery. There were no complications and no readmissions to the hospital. All patients were satisfied with the service; all ten would request to follow the same pathway again if required, and all would recommend it to other patients. CONCLUSION: A 23-hour-stay laparoscopic colectomy is possible with modification of the enhanced recovery program. Patients find it acceptable and it seems to be safe.