Ambulatory colectomy: a pathway for advancing the enhanced recovery protocol.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols employ multiple factors to decrease surgical stress and improve recovery (Lyon et al., World J Gastroenterol 18(40):5661-5663, 2012). These protocols use multimodal approaches to improve outcomes, including length of stay and morbidities (Lyon et al., World J Gastroenterol 18(40):5661-5663, 2012; Carmichael et al., Dis Colon Rectum 60:761-784, 2017). The ERAS guidelines have evolved since development; however, the question is posed of how to improve next (Lyon et al., World J Gastroenterol 18(40):5661-5663, 2012). With the success of ERAS, in combination with milestones made by minimally invasive surgery (MIS), it is our aim to describe the next step of same day discharge colectomy. Retrospective review was performed on all colectomies from February 2019 to January 2022. Same day discharge (SDD) was defined as admission less than 23 h and no overnight stay. Procedures were nonemergent and MIS. Patients were candidates SDD based on comorbidities, communication means, and social support. SDD candidacy continued if surgery was uncomplicated. Next, patients were required to achieve strict Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) criteria for discharge. SDD patients were monitored via calls or messages until their first appointment. After analysis, 326 total colectomies were identified; based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 115 patients underwent SDD, 35.3%. Of the 115 SDD, 5 patients returned to the emergency department, only 1 required readmission (0.9%). The most performed procedures were low anterior resection, 61 (53.0%), and right hemicolectomy, 25 (21.7%). Using ERAS protocols as a groundwork to improve upon, we identified several ways to advance select patients into SDD. Using strict patient selection, intraoperative regulations, and rigorous postoperative criteria, we found that SDD as an advancement of ERAS is a relatively safe procedure with minimal complications.

Ambulatory colectomy: A pilot protocol for same day discharge in minimally invasive colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Since its inception colectomy has routinely been performed in the inpatient setting. The advent of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols has led improved outcomes, including decreased length of stay (LOS). These improvements have introduced the possibility of ambulatory colectomy. However, indications, protocols, and limitations of ambulatory colectomy have not been extensively explored. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review on ambulatory colectomies performed between February 2019 and August 2021. Patients were candidates for same day discharge (SDD) if they met rigorous preoperative criteria. Following an uncomplicated operation, strict postoperative parameters were required for safe discharge. If the patient underwent SDD following their operation, they were monitored closely via telehealth visits and/or patient communication messages until their one-week postoperative visit. RESULTS: From our review, we identified sixty-nine (n = 69) patients who underwent SDD after colectomy. Of the 69, only one patient was readmitted after discharge (1.4%). All procedures were performed via a robotic-assisted approach (Da Vinci Xi). None of the patients underwent conversion to an open procedure. The most frequently performed procedures included: low anterior resection (LAR) (n = 32, 46.4%) and right hemicolectomy (n = 11, 15.9%). CONCLUSION: Through proper patient education and strictly defined communication between the patient care teams, safe and effective care in the setting of SDD after colectomy can be provided. With recent technological advancements, enhanced mechanisms for patient education throughout all phases, and emerging means of patient-physician communication, via the data included herein the opportunity for same day discharge (SDD) after colectomy is a feasible and safe management plan in the proper patient.