[Management of patent foramen ovale in non-cardiac surgery]. / Gestione della pervietà del forame ovale nella chirurgia non cardiaca.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a remnant of normal fetal anatomy which may persist into adulthood, mostly asymptomatic. In some adults, PFO may result in a potential for shunting venous thromboembolism to the arterial circulation; less frequently it can cause interatrial, right-to-left shunting of deoxygenated blood. The pathogenesis of several medical conditions is related to the presence of PFO. Some randomized clinical trials have shown evidence of benefit for device closure as compared with medical therapy in patients with cryptogenic stroke. The literature reported several cases of carbon dioxide embolism during general laparoscopic surgery and sometimes stroke after laparoscopic or neurosurgery but there are neither prospective studies addressing these issues, nor randomized clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy or interventional procedures at decreasing risk. The European position paper suggests routine monitoring in non-cardiac surgery of patients with a PFO and no actual indications for closure. This article aims to further stratify the risk of periprocedural stroke and paradoxical embolism in this category of patients.

Navigator nurse implementation within a fast track program of liver resections: How to improve the healthcare service and perioperative results.

BACKGROUND: The introduction into the clinical practice of the navigator nurse (NaNu) to address the task of counseling and short term follow-up help the effective implementation of the fast track protocol. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the standardization of the NaNu's role in patients undergoing liver surgery. METHODS: Patients undergoing elective liver surgery for all diagnosis and approach, from 2015, received counseling and postoperative follow-up by NaNu and constituted the study group (n = 890). This group was compared with the control group (n = 712) including patients treated in the era before the implementation of the NaNu role (2011-2014). Outcome was evaluated in terms of discrepancy between functional recovery and discharge, number of ER accesses, number of readmissions. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics of patients and disease, as well as type of resection and postoperative outcomes were similar between the two groups. The proportion of laparoscopic cases was higher in the study group (51.2% vs. 32% in the control). Time for discharge, interval between functional recovery and discharge, number of ER accesses and number of readmissions were reduced in the study group. Benign diagnosis, absence of complications, laparoscopic approach and presence of NaNu were independent predictors of shorter length of stay. The positive effect of NaNu's activation was recorded in patients with complications and undergoing open surgery. CONCLUSION: The implementation of NaNu's role has allowed to us optimize the level of healthcare service offered to patients. The wider benefit was offered in the setting of complex patients.

Development of a predictive model for unplanned intensive care unit admission after pancreatic resection within an enhanced recovery pathway.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether routine postoperative admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) can improve outcomes for patients undergoing elective pancreatic surgery. Aim of the study was to determine preoperative and intraoperative predictors of unplanned ICU access in patients undergoing pancreatectomy treated within an established enhanced recovery pathway (ERP) and compare outcomes between direct and late ICU admission. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on adult patients who underwent pancreatic resection (2015-2019) within an ERP. Patients with preoperatively planned ICU admission were excluded from the study. Multiple multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to verify the association of preoperative and intraoperative variables with study outcomes. RESULTS: The study included 1486 consecutive patients (cancer diagnosis 60%, pancreaticoduodenectomy 60%; laparoscopic approach 20%; vascular resection 9%). Sixty-six (4.4%) patients had an unplanned ICU admission. Direct admission occurred in 22 (33%) patients and late ICU admission in 44 (67%) patients. Mortality was significantly lower in direct admission group (n = 3, 14%) compared to late admission (n = 25, 57%; p > 0.001). A comprehensive model including preoperative and intraoperative variables identified ASA score ≥ 3 (OR 5.59, p value < 0.001), history of hypertension (OR 2.29, p = 0.029), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 3.05, p = 0.026), proximal pancreatic resection (OR 2.79, p value 0.046), multivisceral resection (OR 8.86, p value < 0.001), high intraoperative blood loss (OR 1.01 per ml, p < 0.001), and increased serum lactate at the end of surgery (OR 1.25, p = 0.017) as independent factors associated with ICU admission. Area under the ROC curve was 0.891. CONCLUSION: Patient comorbidities, surgical complexity, and lactic acidosis at the end of surgery were associated with unplanned postoperative ICU admission. Late ICU admission had very high mortality rates compared to direct admission. Our findings suggest that patients with a combination of preoperative and intraoperative risk factors could benefit from upfront postoperative ICU admission to potentially improve postoperative outcomes.

Impact of care pathway adherence on recovery following distal pancreatectomy within an enhanced recovery program.

BACKGROUND: In bowel surgery, adherence to enhanced recovery program (ERP) has been associated with improved recovery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of adherence to ERP elements on outcomes, and identify factors associated with successful recovery following distal pancreatectomy (DP). METHODS: Data for 376 patients who underwent DP managed within an ERP including 16 perioperative elements were reviewed. Primary endpoint was successful recovery, a composite outcome defined as length of hospital stay≤7 days, no severe complications nor readmissions. RESULTS: Patients had a mean (SD) overall adherence of 76 (14)%. Overall, 166 (44%) patients had a successful recovery. There was a positive association between overall adherence and successful recovery (OR 1.19, 95%CI 1.08-1.31 for every additional element, p = 0.001), while an inverse relationship was found with comprehensive complication index (8% reduction, 95%CI -15 to -2%, p = 0.011). Adherence to postoperative phase interventions had the greatest impact on recovery (OR 1.29, 95%CI 1.13-1.47 for every additional postoperative element; p < 0.001). At multivariable regression, early termination of IV fluids was the only ERP element associated with successful recovery (OR 2.80, 95%CI 1.73-4.54; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased adherence to ERP elements was associated with successful early recovery and reduction of postoperative complication severity.

Tracheoesophageal Fistula in a COVID-19 Ventilated Patient: A Challenging Therapeutic Decision.

COVID-19 associated severe respiratory failure frequently requires admission to an intensive care unit, tracheal intubation, and mechanical ventilation. Among the risks of prolonged mechanical ventilation under these conditions, there is the development of tracheoesophageal fistula. We describe a case of a severe COVID-19 associated respiratory failure, who developed a tracheoesophageal fistula. We hypothesized that one of the mechanisms for tracheoesophageal fistula, along with other local and general risk factors, is the local infection due to the location of the virus itself in the tracheobronchial tree. The patient was managed successfully with surgical intervention. This case highlights the increased risk of this potentially life-threatening complication among the COVID-19 patient cohort and suggests a management strategy.

Early predictors of clinical outcomes of COVID-19 outbreak in Milan, Italy.

BACKGROUND: National health-system hospitals of Lombardy faced a heavy burden of admissions for acute respiratory distress syndromes associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Data on patients of European origin affected by COVID-19 are limited. METHODS: All consecutive patients aged ≥18 years, coming from North-East of Milan's province and admitted at San Raffaele Hospital with COVID-19, between February 25th and March 24th, were reported, all patients were followed for at least one month. Clinical and radiological features at admission and predictors of clinical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 500 patients admitted to the Emergency Unit, 410 patients were hospitalized and analyzed: median age was 65 (IQR 56-75) years, and the majority of patients were males (72.9%). Median (IQR) days from COVID-19 symptoms onset was 8 (5-11) days. At hospital admission, fever (≥ 37.5 °C) was present in 67.5% of patients. Median oxygen saturation (SpO2) was 93% (range 60-99), with median PaO2/FiO2 ratio, 267 (IQR 184-314). Median Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) score was 9 (IQR 4-16). More than half of the patients (56.3%) had comorbidities, with hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes and chronic kidney failure being the most common. The probability of overall survival at day 28 was 66%. Multivariable analysis showed older age, coronary artery disease, cancer, low lymphocyte count and high RALE score as factors independently associated with an increased risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: In a large cohort of COVID-19 patients of European origin, main risk factors for mortality were older age, comorbidities, low lymphocyte count and high RALE.

Fast reshaping of intensive care unit facilities in a large metropolitan hospital in Milan, Italy: facing the COVID-19 pandemic emergency

At the end of 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak spread from China all around the world, causing thousands of deaths. In Italy, the hardest hit region was Lombardy, with the first reported case on 20 February 2020. San Raffaele Scientific Institute ­ a large tertiary hospital and research centre in Milan, Italy ­ was immediately involved in the management of the public health emergency. Since the beginning of the outbreak, the elective surgical activity of the hospital was rapidly reduced and large areas of the hospital were simultaneously reorganised to admit and assist patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition, the hospital became the regional referral hub for cardiovascular emergencies in order to keep ensuring a high level of health care to non-COVID-19 patients in northern Italy. In a few days, a COVID-19 emergency department was created, improving the general ward capacity to a total number of 279 beds dedicated to patients with COVID-19. Moreover, the number of intensive care unit (ICU) beds was increased from 28 to 72 (54 of them dedicated to patients with COVID-19, and 18 to cardiology and cardiac surgery hub emergencies), both converting pre-existing areas and creating new high technology spaces. All the involved health care personnel were rapidly trained to use personal protection equipment and to manage this particular category of patients both in general wards and ICUs. Furthermore, besides clinical activities, continuously important research projects were carried out in order to find new strategies and more effective therapies to better face an unprecedented health emergency in Italy.

Pre-operative transnasal endoscopy as a predictor of difficult airway: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Consequences of failed endotracheal intubation can be catastrophic and predicting difficulty is therefore a critical issue. There is no consensus on the best way to predict difficulty. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of transnasal flexible endoscopic laryngoscopy (TFEL), a minimally invasive procedure, in the prediction of difficult intubation. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, a tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred and sixty nine adults scheduled for elective ear, nose and throat surgery under general anaesthesia with pre-operative TFEL. INTERVENTION: In addition to routine pre-operative evaluation by an anaesthesiologist, glottis exposure during TFEL was assessed with a scoring system similar to the modified Cormack-Lehane (MCL). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The extent to which TFEL improves the prediction of difficult direct laryngoscopy, measured with the MCL score, and of difficult intubation, measured with the intubation difficulty scale score. RESULTS: When added to bedside evaluation, TFEL performed during tongue protrusion significantly (P = 0.005) improved the prediction of MCL. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67 to 0.83] vs. 0.65 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.74). For the intubation difficulty scale (P = 0.049), the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.70 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.80) vs. 0.66 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.74). CONCLUSION: TFEL is a useful tool in predicting difficult intubation, improving predictability of routine bedside evaluation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02671877.

Sufentanil Sublingual Tablet System (SSTS) for the management of postoperative pain after major abdominal and gynecological surgery within an ERAS protocol: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: The Sufentanil Sublingual Tablet System (SSTS) is a new, pre-programmed, noninvasive, handheld system for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) which may allow a faster postoperative recovery compared with standard PCA. The efficacy of SSTS in controlling pain after open abdominal surgery has already been documented. However, to our knowledge SSTS has never been investigated in patients undergoing major surgery within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol. METHODS: This observational, retrospective analysis included consecutive patients undergoing elective major abdominal and gynecological surgery. All patients received the SSTS device once they were fully awake and had a good control of pain at the end of the surgery. We analyzed changes in pain intensity according to the numerical rating scale (NRS) throughout the treatment as well as its duration, the number of administrations, and possible related adverse events. Patients were also interviewed to assess their quality of sleep and overall satisfaction with the SSTS device. RESULTS: The study included 308 patients. Compared to the first SSTS administration, pain intensity decreased from a median NRS of 6 to 0 at day 3, for an overall reduction of 79%. Results were already statistically significant at postoperative day 1 (p<0.01). Adverse reactions were observed in 62 patients, with nausea being the most frequent (12%), and in 93% of patients SSTS was discontinued because it was considered no longer necessary. Patient satisfaction was high, with 89% of them judging the device as "easy" or "very easy" to use. CONCLUSIONS: Although the retrospective and observational nature of the study as well as the absence of a comparative group limits the strength of evidence, our results consider SSTS an effective and safe tool for the management of postoperative pain after major abdominal and gynecological surgery within an ERAS protocol.

Joint consensus on anesthesia in urologic and gynecologic robotic surgery: specific issues in management from a task force of the SIAARTI, SIGO, and SIU.

INTRODUCTION: Proper management of patients undergoing robotic-assisted urologic and gynecologic surgery must consider a series of peculiarities in the procedures for anesthesiology, critical care medicine, respiratory care, and pain management. Although the indications for robotic-assisted urogynecologic surgeries have increased in recent years, specific guidance documents are still lacking. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A multidisciplinary group including anesthesiologists, gynecologists, urologists, and a clinical epidemiologist systematically reviewed the relevant literature and provided a set of recommendations and unmet needs on peculiar aspects of anesthesia in this field. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Nine core contents were identified, according to their requirements in urogynecologic robotic-assisted surgery: patient position, pneumoperitoneum and ventilation strategies, hemodynamic variations and fluid therapy, neuromuscular block, renal surgery and prevention of acute kidney injury, monitoring the Department of anesthesia, postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction, prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and pain management in endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus document provides guidance for the management of urologic and gynecologic patients scheduled for robotic-assisted surgery. Moreover, the identified unmet needs highlight the requirement for further prospective randomized studies.

Epidural analgesia vs systemic opioids in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

PURPOSE: A well-controlled pain is one of the most important targets of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols. Recent studies questioned the role of TEA (thoracic epidural analgesia) in support of less invasive techniques, in particular in laparoscopic mini-invasive surgery. The aim of this study is to compare patients undergoing laparoscopic mini-invasive colorectal surgery and receiving different analgesic techniques. METHODS: Prospectively collected data entered in the electronic registry of POIS (Perioperative Italian Society) specifically designed for ERAS were reviewed. Patients undergoing colorectal laparoscopic surgery were divided in two groups according to TEA or parenteral opioid administration. In comparing TEA and opioid groups, propensity score weights were obtained. Postoperative pain control and time to readiness for discharge (TRD) were considered as primary endpoints of the study. Secondary endpoints were postoperative morbidity, PONV (postoperative nausea and vomiting), hours of mobilization, length of hospital stay (LOS), timing of fluid and solid re-assumption, and recovery of bowel function. RESULTS: Fourteen Italian hospitals reported data on 560 patients (283 TEA, 277 opioid group). Patients of the opioid group were able to mobilize for a longer period than TEA group patients but presented a higher incidence of PONV. Pain intensity and TRD were similar in both groups. LOS was significantly reduced in TEA patients; also, this result was clinically irrelevant (5.7 ± 3.21 days TEA group vs 5.8 ± 2.92 opioid group). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery, TEA was not associated to a better pain control or to an improvement in postoperative outcome compared with opioid administration.

Acute Pain Service: A 10-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Pain management after surgery is crucial to decrease perioperative morbidity and mortality. Acute pain services (APS) are multidisciplinary teams that represent a modern strategy to address pain inside hospitals. The APS defines and applies pain treatment protocols specific for each surgery. To evaluate the performance of the APS at our institute, we performed a large retrospective cohort study focusing on complications of epidural analgesia and IV opiates. METHODS: Data from the 10 years of activity of the APS were collected. Pain was assessed using the VAS at rest (VASr) and during movement (VASm) at each daily visit; the presence of side effects and complications was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 17,913 adult patients were followed by APS during the study period. Epidural analgesia was used in 7,776 cases (43%), while 9,239 (52%) patients used IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). A combination of the 2 was used in 87 patients (0.5%). A total of 456 perineural catheters (2.6%) were placed, while 442 patients(2.5%) used other analgesic techniques. We recorded 163 dural punctures during catheter placement, with no epidural hematoma, epidural abscess, or meningitis, and no permanent modification in sensitive or motor functions. CONCLUSIONS: In our large case series, APS was confirmed safe and effective in treating postoperative pain, using both epidural analgesia and IV PCA with morphine.

Enhanced recovery after surgery program in elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to investigate the differences in length of hospital stay (LOS) between patients receiving an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) approach and patients receiving conventional perioperative care in elective infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Secondary endpoints were the difference in postoperative pulmonary, renal, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications, unplanned intensive care unit admission, surgical reintervention and in-hospital mortality between groups. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, data of all patients undergoing open infrarenal AAA repair between June 2009 and December 2014 were recorded. After excluding the first month, we propensity matched 2:1 patients operated on before and after the introduction of an ERAS program (started in September 2012). RESULTS: A total of 1034 elective open infrarenal AAA repairs were performed during the study period. Six-hundred and sixty-three patients who underwent surgery between June 2009-September 2012 received standard perioperative care and were propensity matched with 371 patients who underwent surgery between October 2012-December 2014 after implementing ERAS approach in September 2012 in 13 patients. A statistically significant reduction in LOS (6.0 [5.5-6.5] vs. 5.5 [5.4-6.5] days; P=0.021) and pulmonary complications (9.6% vs. 4.7%; P=0.014) in the ERAS group were recorded. Other postoperative complications, need for unplanned intensive care unit admission, need for surgical reintervention and in-hospital mortality were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: An ERAS program is effective in reducing LOS and pulmonary complications after elective infrarenal AAA repair.

The clinical and biological impacts of the implementation of fast-track perioperative programs in complex liver resections: A propensity score-based analysis between the open and laparoscopic approaches.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the fast-track approach in patients undergoing complex liver procedures and to analyse factors that influence morbidity and functional recovery. METHODS: Hepatic resections (2014-2016) were stratified according to difficulty score, obtaining a group of 215 complex resections (102 laparoscopic, 163 open). The laparoscopic group was matched by propensity score with open patients to obtain the minimally invasive liver surgery group (n = 102) and the open group (n = 102). RESULTS: Groups were similar in terms of patient and disease characteristics. The postoperative morbidity was 31.4% in the minimally invasive liver surgery and 38.2% in the open group (P = .05), and functional recovery was shorter in the minimally invasive liver surgery (respectively 4 versus 6 days, P = .041). The adherence to fast-track was high in both groups, with several items with higher penetrance in the minimally invasive liver surgery group. Among factors associated with morbidity and functional recovery, a laparoscopic approach and strict adherence to a fast-track protocol resulted in protective factors. CONCLUSION: The combination of minimally invasive approaches and fast-track protocols allows a reduced rate of postoperative morbidity and satisfactory functional recovery even in the setting of complex liver resections. When the laparoscopic approach is not feasible, strict adherence to a fast-track program is associated with the achievement of adequate results and should be implemented.

Enhanced recovery pathway in elderly patients undergoing colorectal surgery: is there an effect of increasing ages? Results from the perioperative Italian Society Registry.

Previous studies reported that enhanced recovery pathway (ERP) is safe in elderly who did not require a specifically tailored protocol. In previous studies, elderly have been considered as a homogeneous cohort and the cut-off value to identify them was different. The aim of the present study is to assess the compliance to ERP and its impact on postoperative outcome in three subgroups of elderly patients with increasing ages. Prospectively collected data entered in an electronic Italian registry specifically designed for ERP were reviewed. 315 elderly patients undergoing elective colorectal resection were divided into three groups. Group 1: 71-75 years (n = 105), Group 2: 76-80 years (n = 117), Group 3: over 80 years (n = 93). Primary endpoints of the study were adherence to ERP and time to readiness for discharge (TRD). Compliance to ERP was similar in the three groups. No difference among groups was found for mortality, overall morbidity, major complications, reoperation rate and readmission rate. Median TRD and length of hospital stay (LOS) were progressively longer with increasing age (p = 0.018 and p = 0.078, respectively). Increasing age did not impact on adherence to ERP and postoperative morbidity, but delayed both TRD and LOS.

Feasibility of Protective Ventilation During Elective Supratentorial Neurosurgery: A Randomized, Crossover, Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Traditional ventilation approaches, providing high tidal volumes (Vt), produce excessive alveolar distention and lung injury. Protective ventilation, employing lower Vt and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), is an attractive alternative also for neuroanesthesia, when prolonged mechanical ventilation is needed. Nevertheless, protective ventilation during intracranial surgery may exert dangerous effects on intracranial pressure (ICP). We tested the feasibility of a protective ventilation strategy in neurosurgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our monocentric, double-blind, 1:1 randomized, 2×2 crossover study aimed at studying the effect size and variability of ICP in patients undergoing elective supratentorial brain tumor removal and alternatively ventilated with Vt 9 mL/kg-PEEP 0 mm Hg and Vt 7 mL/kg-PEEP 5 mm Hg. Respiratory rate was adjusted to maintain comparable end-tidal carbon dioxide between ventilation modes. ICP was measured through a subdural catheter inserted before dural opening. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled; 8 (15%) were excluded after enrollment. ICP did not differ between traditional and protective ventilation (11.28±5.37, 11 [7 to 14.5] vs. 11.90±5.86, 11 [8 to 15] mm Hg; P=0.541). End-tidal carbon dioxide (28.91±2.28, 29 [28 to 30] vs. 28.00±2.17, 28 [27 to 29] mm Hg; P<0.001). Peak airway pressure (17.25±1.97, 17 [16 to 18.5] vs. 15.81±2.87, 15.5 [14 to 17] mm Hg; P<0.001) and plateau airway pressure (16.06±2.30, 16 [14.5 to 17] vs. 14.19±2.82, 14 [12.5 to 16] mm Hg; P<0.001) were higher during protective ventilation. Blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature did not differ between ventilation modes. Dural tension was "acceptable for surgery" in all cases. ICP differences between ventilation modes were not affected by ICP values under traditional ventilation (coefficient=0.067; 95% confidence interval, -0.278 to 0.144; P=0.523). CONCLUSIONS: Protective ventilation is a feasible alternative to traditional ventilation during elective neurosurgery.

Preoperative sarcopenia determinants in pancreatic cancer patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Recent studies report that muscle depletion can impair short and long-term results after abdominal surgery. The aim of the present study is to quantify sarcopenia rate in patients undergoing pancreatic resection for cancer and to identify possible determinants of muscle waste. METHODS: Total abdominal muscle area (TAMA) and visceral fat area (VFA) were measured by preoperative CT scan imaging at the level of the third lumbar vertebra in 273 patients undergoing pancreas resection for cancer. Demographics, preoperative parameters, and cancer stage were prospectively collected in our Institutional electronic database. An adjusted regression model was used to identify independent predictors for low TAMA. RESULTS: 176 (64.5%) patients were sarcopenic, with only 52 of them showing weight loss > 10%. Patients with cancer stage II and III had lower TAMA compared to patients with stage I (p = 0.002). The magnitude of weight loss was inversely correlated with VFA (p = 0.001), while no correlation with TAMA was found. Multivariate analysis showed that cancer stage was an independent predictor of low TAMA. Patients aged over 75 had the highest probability of having both low TAMA (p = 0.031) and high VFA (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Most of patients undergoing oncologic pancreatic surgery are sarcopenic. Cancer stage was an independent determinant of sarcopenia while nutritional factors seem less important. An age of over 75 years was significantly correlated with both muscle compartment depletion and visceral fat increase.

Enhanced recovery pathways in pancreatic surgery: State of the art.

Pancreatic surgery is being offered to an increasing number of patients every year. Although postoperative outcomes have significantly improved in the last decades, even in high-volume centers patients still experience significant postoperative morbidity and full recovery after surgery takes longer than we think. In recent years, enhanced recovery pathways incorporating a large number of evidence-based perioperative interventions have proved to be beneficial in terms of improved postoperative outcomes, and accelerated patient recovery in the context of gastrointestinal, genitourinary and orthopedic surgery. The role of these pathways for pancreatic surgery is still unclear as high-quality randomized controlled trials are lacking. To date, non-randomized studies have shown that care pathways for pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy are safe with no difference in postoperative morbidity, leading to early discharge and no increase in hospital readmissions. Hospital costs are reduced due to better organization of care and resource utilization. However, further research is needed to clarify the effect of enhanced recovery pathways on patient recovery and post-discharge outcomes following pancreatic resection. Future studies should be prospective and follow recent recommendations for the design and reporting of enhanced recovery pathways.