Short-term outcomes and benefits of ERAS program in elderly patients undergoing colorectal surgery: a case-matched study compared to conventional care.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the benefits of implementing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in elderly patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. METHODS: A retrospective non-randomized cohort study was conducted from September 2012 to December 2016. We included patients ≥ 70 years undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Outcome measures, compliance with interventions, and postoperative complications of patients treated under ERAS were case-matched (based on gender, age, type of surgery, and the presence/absence of a temporal stoma) to a retrospective group of patients ≥ 70 years treated under conventional care. RESULTS: A total of 312 patients (156 ERAS vs. 156 non-ERAS) were included in the study. The ERAS group had a significant reduction of grade III/IV Dindo-Clavien's postoperative complications when compared with conventional care. ERAS had a positive effect in reducing anastomotic leakage (14.7% non-ERAS vs. 9%) and postoperative mortality (11.5% non-ERAS vs. 1.9% ERAS; p = 0.001). A reduction of 2 days in length of hospital stay was achieved after implementing ERAS (8 (6.75) vs. 6 (5.25); p < 0.0001), while readmission rates remained unaffected. The average of global compliance (GC) with all ERAS interventions was 42%. GC was significantly lower in patients with permanent/temporary stomas and in patients in whom an open approach was performed. CONCLUSION: In our experience, ERAS should be implemented without reservations in elderly patients expecting the same goals and benefits as with other age groups. Barriers in achieving a high compliance rate are common and will require a great effort in patient's education, an intensive perioperative care, and sometimes a change in the surgeons' practice.

Enhanced recovery care after colorectal surgery in elderly patients. Compliance and outcomes of a multicenter study from the Spanish working group on ERAS.

PURPOSE: ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) programs have proven to reduce morbidity and hospital stay in colorectal surgery. However, the feasibility of these programs in elderly patients has been questioned. The aim of this study is to assess the implementation and outcomes of an ERAS program for colorectal cancer in elderly patients. METHODS: This is a multicenter observational study of a cohort of elderly patients undergoing colorectal surgery within an ERAS program. A total of 188 consecutive patients over 70 years who underwent elective colorectal surgery within an ERAS program at three institutions during a 2-year period were included. The compliance with the ERAS protocol interventions was measure. Complications were evaluated according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Data on length of stay and readmission rates were analyzed. RESULTS: Early intake and early mobilization were the most successfully carried out interventions. There was a global compliance rate of 56 % of patients for whom compliance was achieved with all measured interventions. The median hospital length of stay was 6 days. Almost 60 % of patients had no complications, 24 % had minor complications while 13 % had major complications; of them, 8 % patients were reoperated. The readmission rate was 6.4 %. CONCLUSIONS: ERAS after colorectal surgery in elderly patients presents as safe and feasible based on good reported outcomes of compliance rates, complications, readmissions, and needs for reoperation.

Implementation barriers for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in rectal cancer surgery: a comparative analysis of compliance with colon cancer surgeries.

We aim to analyze differences in compliance between colon and rectal cancer surgeries under Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for colorectal procedures, and to detect implementation barriers for rectal cancer surgeries. Patients who underwent elective rectal cancer surgeries under ERAS were case-matched based on gender, age, and P-POSSUM with an equal number of patients who underwent colonic surgeries. Achievements of ≥ 70% of ERAS items were considered an acceptable level of compliance. A multivariate analysis was carried out to identify independent risk factors for lower compliance. A total of 434 patients were included over a 5-year period. After matching, there were 111 patients in each group. Overall compliance was significantly lower in the rectal surgery group (73% vs 82%, p = 0.001). A good compliance rate differed from 55% in rectal vs 77.5% in colonic procedures (p = 0.000). We identified three independent risk factors for lower compliance rates: open surgical approach, the use of epidural catheter, and the presence of postoperative ileus. Our data showed that rectal cancer surgeries are more exigent to success on ERAS interventions when compared to colonic resections. There is a need to introduce specific modifications on the protocols for colorectal surgeries when applied to these particular procedures.

Extended Totally Extraperitoneal (eTEP) Approach for Ventral Hernia Repair: Initial Results. / Vía totalmente extraperitoneal extendida (eTEP) para la corrección de hernias ventrales: resultados preliminares.

INTRODUCTION: Since the first laparoscopic incisional hernia repair, several minimally invasive procedures have been developed in abdominal wall repair. In 2017, the extended totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) approach for abdominal wall repair was published. We present the results from eTEP implementation at two medical centers by one surgeon. METHODS: Prospective descriptive study of the implementation of the eTEP approach, with transversus abdominis release (TAR) when needed. The surgical technique was initiated by accessing the space between the rectus abdominis muscle and posterior rectus sheath, connecting this space with the fatty preperitoneal space at the midline and the contralateral retrorectal space. Identification and dissection of the hernia sac is performed in the created cavity. Additionally, posterior component release in a TAR fashion could be done. Finally, closure of posterior plane and linea alba is completed and mesh prosthesis is deployed along the whole dissected space. RESULTS: Forty patients underwent an eTEP procedure with 20 supraumbilical defects, 10 infraumbilical and 10 lateral hernias. Sixteen cases required a TAR technique. Mean operative time was 126minutes. Median pain reported the first postoperative day was 3 on the visual analogue scale. Median length of stay was 1 day and mean follow-up was 10 months. Only one patient developed recurrence, and two patients underwent reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of eTEP in abdominal wall repair is safe. Preliminary outcomes of the eTEP approach in ventral hernia repair show good pain control with less hospital stay.