Hyperbaric bupivacaine versus prilocaine for spinal anesthesia combined with total intravenous anesthesia during oncological colon surgery in a 23-hour stay enhanced recovery protocol: A non-randomized study.

After the success of the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol, perioperative care has been further optimized in accelerated enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs), where optimal pain management is crucial. Spinal anesthesia was introduced as adjunct to general anesthesia to reduce postoperative pain and facilitate mobility. This study aimed to determine which spinal anesthetic agent provides best pain relief in accelerated ERP for colon carcinoma. This single center study was a secondary analysis conducted among patients included in the aCcelerated 23-Hour erAS care for colon surgEry study who underwent elective laparoscopic colon surgery. The first 30 patients included received total intravenous anesthesia combined with spinal anesthesia with prilocaine, the 30 patients subsequently included received spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine. Primary endpoint of this study was the total amount of morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) administered during hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were amounts of MMEs administered in the recovery room and surgical ward, pain score using the numeric rating scale, complication rates and length of hospital stay. Compared to prilocaine, the total amount of MMEs administered was significantly lower in the bupivacaine group (n = 60, 16.3 vs 6.3, P = .049). Also, the amount of MMEs administered and median pain scores were significantly lower after intrathecal bupivacaine in the recovery room (MMEs 11.0 vs 0.0, P = .012 and numeric rating scale 2.0 vs 1.5, P = .004). On the surgical ward, median MMEs administered, and pain scores were comparable. Postoperative outcomes were similar in both groups. Spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine was associated with less opioid use and better pain reduction immediately after surgery compared to prilocaine within an accelerated ERP for elective, oncological colon surgery.

Views and experiences of healthcare professionals and patients on the implementation of a 23-hour accelerated enhanced recovery programme: a mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: An accumulating body of research suggests that an accelerating enhanced recovery after colon surgery protocol is beneficial for patients, however, to obtain these effects, adherence to all elements of the protocol is important. The implementation of complex interventions, such as the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol (ERAS), and their strict adherence have proven to be difficult. The same challenges can be expected in the implementation of the accelerated Enhanced Recovery Pathways (ERPs). This study aimed to understand the perspectives of both healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients on the locally studied acCelerated enHanced recovery After SurgEry (CHASE) protocol. METHODS: For this mixed-method study, HCPs who provided CHASE care and patients who received CHASE care were recruited using purposive sampling. Ethical approval was obtained by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Zuyderland Medical Centre (NL71804.096.19, METCZ20190130, October 2022). Semi-structured, in-depth, one-on-one interviews were conducted with HCPs (n = 13) and patients (n = 11). The interviews consisted of a qualitative and quantitative part, the protocol evaluation and the Measurement Instrument or Determinant of Innovations-structured questionnaire. We explored the perspectives, barriers, and facilitators of the CHASE protocol implementation. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed independently by two researchers using direct content analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that overall, HCPs support the implementation of the CHASE protocol. The enablers were easy access to the protocol, the relevance of the intervention, and thorough patient education. Some of the reported barriers included the difficulty of recognizing CHASE patients, the need for regular feedback, and the updates on the implementation progress. Most patients were enthusiastic about early discharge after surgery and expressed satisfaction with the care they received. On the other hand, the patients sometimes received different information from different HCPs, considered the information to be too extensive and few experienced some discomfort with CHASE care. CONCLUSION: Bringing CHASE care into practice was challenging and required adaptation from HCPs. The experiences of HCPs showed that the protocol can be improved further, and the mostly positive experiences of patients are a motivation for this improvement. These results yielded practical implications to improve the implementation of accelerated ERPs.

Accelerated 23-h enhanced recovery protocol for colon surgery: the CHASE-study.

The introduction of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program has radically improved postoperative outcomes in colorectal surgery. Optimization of ERAS program to an accelerated recovery program may further improve these said outcomes. This single-center, prospective study investigated the feasibility and safety of a 23-h accelerated enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) for colorectal cancer patients (ASA I-II) undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery. The 23-h accelerated ERP consisted of adjustments in pre-, peri- and postoperative care; this was called the CHASE-protocol. This group was compared to a retrospective cohort of colorectal cancer patients who received standard ERAS care. Patients were discharged within 23 h after surgery if they met the discharge criteria. Primary outcome was the rate of the successful discharge within 23 h. Successful discharge within the CHASE-cohort was realized in 33 out of the 41 included patients (80.5%). Compared to the retrospective cohort (n = 75), length of stay was significantly shorter in the CHASE-cohort (p = 0.000), and the readmission rate was higher (p = 0.051). Complication rate was similar, severe complications were observed less frequently in the CHASE-cohort (4.9% vs. 8.0%). Findings from this study support the feasibility and safety of the accelerated 23-h accelerated ERP with the CHASE-protocol in selected patients.