Perioperative Intravenous Amino Acid Infusion in Major Urologic Surgery.

Post-operative acute kidney injury (PO-AKI) is a serious complication that may occur after major abdominal surgery. The administration of intravenous perioperative amino acids (AAs) has been proven to increase kidney function and has some beneficial effects to prevent PO-AKI. The aim of this study was to establish if the perioperative infusion of AAs may reduce the incidence of PO-AKI in patients undergoing major urological minimally invasive surgery. From a total of 331 patients, the first 169 received perioperative crystalloid fluids and the following 162 received perioperative AA infusions. PO-AKIs were much higher in the crystalloid group compared to the AA group (34 vs. 17, p = 0.022) due to a lower incidence of KDIGO I and II in the AA group (14 vs. 30 p = 0.016). The AA group patients who developed a PO-AKI presented more risk factors compared to those who did not (2 (2-4) vs. 1 (1-2), p = 0.031) with a cut-off of 3 risk factors in the ROC curve (p = 0.007, sensitivity 47%, specificity 83%). The hospital length of stay was higher in the crystalloid group (p < 0.05) with a consequent saving in hospital costs. Perioperative AA infusion may help reduce the incidence of PO-AKI after major urological minimally invasive surgery.

Low Intra-Abdominal Pressure with Complete Neuromuscular Blockage Reduces Post-Operative Complications in Major Laparoscopic Urologic Surgery: A before-after Study.

Most urological interventions are now performed with minimally invasive surgery techniques such as laparoscopic surgery. Combining ERAS protocols with minimally invasive surgery techniques may be the best option to reduce hospital length-of-stay and post-operative complications. We designed this study to test the hypothesis that using low intra-abdominal pressures (IAP) during laparoscopy may reduce post-operative complications, especially those related to reduced intra-operative splanchnic perfusion or increased splanchnic congestion. We applied a complete neuromuscular blockade (NMB) to maintain an optimal space and surgical view. We compared 115 patients treated with standard IAP and moderate NMB with 148 patients treated with low IAP and complete NMB undergoing major urologic surgery. Low IAP in combination with complete NMB was associated with fewer total post-operative complications than standard IAP with moderate NMB (22.3% vs. 41.2%, p < 0.001), with a reduction in all medical post-operative complications (17 vs. 34, p < 0.001). The post-operative complications mostly reduced were acute kidney injury (15.5% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.004), anemia (6.8% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.049) and reoperation (2% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.035). The intra-operative management of laparoscopic interventions for major urologic surgeries with low IAP and complete NMB is feasible without hindering surgical conditions and might reduce most medical post-operative complications.

Cirugía mayor abdominal electiva sin descompresión nasogástrica y con apertura precoz de vía oral / Major Elective Abdominal Surgery without Nasogastric Decompression and with Early Opening of the Oral Route

Introducción: La descompresión con sonda nasogástrica y la vía oral cerrada por varios días, ha sido práctica común tras procedimientos quirúrgicos electivos del tracto digestivo. Los programas para mejorar la recuperación posoperatoria (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery), aconsejan cambiar esta práctica. Objetivo: Evaluar el cumplimiento y repercusión en la evolución posoperatoria de dos acciones del programa en el retiro de la sonda nasogástrica y la apertura de la vía oral el día de la intervención. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, en el Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital "Hermanos Ameijeiras" de septiembre 2017 a agosto 2020. La muestra fue de 270 pacientes con intervención quirúrgica mayor electiva del colon, hígado, vía biliar o páncreas, a los que se les aplicó el programa para mejorar la recuperación posoperatoria. Resultados: En 79,6 por ciento de pacientes, la sonda nasogástrica se retiró en el quirófano tras la intervención y esto se asoció a más rápida recuperación de la función intestinal, menor estadía, complicaciones, reingresos y reintervenciones. En 60 por ciento se inició la vía oral 6 horas después de la cirugía y 79,6 por ciento toleraban dieta blanda a las 48 horas. Estos pacientes presentaron menos complicaciones y mortalidad. Conclusiones: En el contexto de un programa para mejorar la recuperación posoperatoria, tras cirugía abdominal electiva, el retiro de la sonda nasogástrica el día de la intervención, con apertura precoz de la vía oral y rápida progresión a dieta blanda, son acciones bien toleradas que repercuten positivamente en la evolución posoperatoria(AU)

Introduction: Nasogastric tube decompression, together with the oral route closed for several days, has been a common practice after elective surgical procedures of the digestive tract. Programs to improve postoperative recovery (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) advise changing this practice. Objective: To assess compliance and impact on postoperative evolution of two program actions for nasogastric tube removal and opening of the oral route on the intervention day. Methods: A prospective study was carried out, from September 2017 to August 2020, in the general surgery service of Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital. The sample consisted of 270 patients who underwent major elective surgery of the colon, liver, bile duct or pancreas and were applied the program to improve postoperative recovery. Results: In 79.6 percent of patients, the nasogastric tube was removed in the operating room after the intervention, a fact associated with faster recovery of intestinal function, shorter stay, as well as fewer complications, readmissions and reinterventions. In 60 percent of the patients, the oral route was started at six hours after surgery, while 79.6 percent of them tolerated a soft diet at 48 hours. These patients presented fewer complications and mortality. Conclusions: In the context of a program to improve postoperative recovery after elective abdominal surgery, nasogastric tube removal on the intervention day, with early opening of the oral route and rapid progression to a soft diet, are well-tolerated actions that have a positive effect on postoperative evolution(AU)

Analysis of the 'Evaluation Indicators' of an Enhanced Recovery After Bariatric Surgery Pathway in the First Six Months After Implementation.

The implementation of a clinical pathway in bariatric surgery (BS) might facilitate systemic care. Focusing on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs may also improve surgical outcomes depending on the degree of adherence achieved. We hypothesized that the implementation of an ERAS clinical pathway in BS (ERABS) improves clinical outcomes compared to traditional treatment in a tertiary care hospital. The main objective was to assess the degree of adherence to the ERABS program. Secondary objectives were to evaluate compliance with the quality indicators of the Spanish Society for Obesity Surgery (SECO) and overall patients' satisfaction. A retrospective observational study was designed. Data from patients who underwent BS into an ERABS context were reviewed and compared with traditionally treated patients. Process and outcomes indicators adapted from RICA (Recuperación Intensificada en Cirugía Abdominal) pathway, degree of compliance with SECO quality indicators and patients' satisfaction were analyzed. Forty-three patients were included per group. Indicators' compliance rate per patient was 83.23%. Differences were found in postoperative bleeding, immediate morbidity and overall morbidity, but not in severity of complications. No patient felt dissatisfied or unsatisfied. Average compliance with indicators of process and outcome was 90.45%. Overall morbidity in ERABS group did not differ from that recommended by SECO, but traditional group did show significant increase. Adherence was 83.63% and overall incidence of complications was 7%. Our study shows improved clinical outcomes in ERABS group with a high degree of adherence. Quality indicators were met, improving overall morbidity with no difference in the severity of complications.

Resultados de una encuesta multicentros sobre recuperación posoperatoria y razones para cambiar prácticas / Results of a multicenter survey on postoperative recovery and reasons for changing practices

Introducción: Los Programas de Recuperación Posoperatoria Mejorada (Enhanced Revovery After Surgery, ERAS, por sus siglas en inglés), también denominados de "rehabilitación multimodal quirúrgica" o "Fast-track" constituyen estrategias perioperatorias para mejorar la recuperación postoperatoria de forma segura. Objetivo: Evaluar el conocimiento y la aplicación práctica de evidencias científicas actuales que sostienen a los programas de Recuperación Posoperatoria Mejorada. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación cualitativa en 5 servicios de cirugía general de hospitales universitarios de la capital. Se aplicó un cuestionario anónimo a 107 médicos especialistas y residentes de 3er. y 4to. año de la especialidad. Resultados: El 40 por ciento de los encuestados no tenía conocimiento de la existencia de los programas de rehabilitación multimodal. Las evidencias relacionadas con la descompresión naso-gástrica, el ayuno preoperatorio y la preparación mecánica del colon, fueron las menos conocidas, con porcientos de respuestas no acordes a evidencias actuales de 62,2 por ciento, 50,1 por ciento y 50,1 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Importantes evidencias científicas actuales en varias acciones claves de la recuperación postoperatoria no son bien conocidas y por ende no han sido incorporadas a la práctica médica(AU)

Introduction: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs, also known as "surgical multimodal rehabilitation" or "fast-track," are perioperative strategies to improve postoperative recovery safely. Objective: To assess the knowledge and practical application of current scientific evidence that supports enhanced postoperative recovery programs. Methods: A qualitative investigation was carried out in five general surgery services of university hospitals in the capital of Cuba. An anonymous questionnaire was applied to 107 specialist physicians, as well as residents from the third and fourth academic years. Results: 40% of the respondents did not have any knowledge about the existence of multimodal rehabilitation programs. The evidences related to nasogastric decompression, preoperative fasting and mechanical preparation of the colon were the least known, with percentages of responses not in accordance with current evidence, being of 62.2 percent, 50.1 percent and 50.1 percent, respectively. Conclusions: Important current scientific evidences concerning several key actions of postoperative recovery are not well known and, therefore, have not been incorporated into medical practice(AU)

Programas para mejorar la recuperación posoperatoria / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Programs

RESUMEN Los programas de recuperación mejorada después de cirugía (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, ERAS por sus siglas en inglés) constituyen un conjunto de acciones aplicadas al paciente quirúrgico en el periodo perioperatorio. Estos buscan reducir el impacto de la cirugía en la respuesta metabólica y endocrina y logran una recuperación más temprana de mayor calidad. El objetivo del trabajo fue difundir los principios y ventajas potenciales de estos programas, para su implementación en centros de nuestro país. Se realizó una revisión de publicaciones relacionadas con programas ERAS y sus intervenciones, desde enero 1995 hasta marzo 2018 en base de datos, MEDLINE, CUMED, y bibliotecas SciELO y Cochrane- Cochrane Library Plus, así como revista de acceso abierto PLoS Medicine. Los programas ERAS, se han extendido gradualmente a otros procedimientos y especialidades quirúrgicas. Investigaciones enfocadas en ellos están demostrando sus potencialidades y expansión. Para implementarlos se necesita voluntad institucional y enfoque multidisciplinario, y para sostener sus resultados es esencial auditarlos periódicamente. La aplicación de los programas ERAS se ha relacionado con reducción de estadía hospitalaria, complicaciones y costos, sin aumento en reingresos ni en mortalidad. Su implementación adecuada se considera segura y conveniente para pacientes e instituciones(AU)

ABSTRACT Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, ERAS, programs are a set of actions applied to the surgical patient in the perioperative period. These seek to reduce the impact of surgery on the metabolic and endocrine response and to achieve an earlier recovery of higher quality. The objective of the work was to spread the principles and potential advantages of these programs, for their implementation in centers of our country. A review was carried out of publications related to ERAS programs and their interventions, from January 1995 to March 2018, in the database MEDLINE, CUMED, and the libraries SciELO and Cochrane-Cochrane Library Plus, as well as the open access journal PLoS Medicine. The ERAS programs have been gradually extended to other surgical procedures and specialties. Research focused on them is demonstrating their potential and expansion. To implement them, institutional will and a multidisciplinary approach are needed, while, in order to sustain their results, it is essential to audit them periodically. The application of the ERAS programs has been related to reduction of hospital stay, complications and costs, without increase in readmissions or mortality. Its proper implementation is considered safe and convenient for patients and institutions(AU)

A clinical study of choledochoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for multiple intrahepatic calculi within ERAS programs.

OBJECTIVES: Multiple intrahepatic calculi, especially calculi in both sides of the liver, cannot be completely resolved by traditional surgery. In addition, morbidity after liver resection remains high. ERAS programs have been suggested that could relieve surgical stress and accelerate postoperative recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of choledocholithotomy combined with holmium laser lithotripsy in the treatment of multiple intrahepatic calculi within ERAS programs. METHODS: In all, 109 patients with multiple intrahepatic calculi were enrolled between January 2012 and September 2016, 42 of whom received choledocholithotomy combined with holmium laser lithotripsy. The remaining 67 patients underwent choledocholithotomy combined with choledochoscopic mechanical lithotripsy. Perioperative outcomes were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Patient characteristics and preoperative details were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). The implementation of holmium laser lithotripsy could reduce the calculi residual rate (7.1% vs. 22.4%, P = 0.037), and even the liver resection rate (16.7% vs. 35.8%, P = 0.031). Additionally, holmium laser lithotripsy did not result in a higher morbidity (11.9% vs. 16.4%, P = 0.517), readmission rate (0% vs. 6%, P = 0.158), hospital stay (P = 0.189), hospital cost (P = 0.998), transfusion rate (P = 0.576), or operative time (P = 0.638). CONCLUSIONS: Holmium laser lithotripsy is feasible and efficient for treating multiple intrahepatic calculi within ERAS programs, which could reduce the liver resection rate and render refractory hepatic calculi easy to eliminate. In addition, holmium laser lithotripsy could be well coupled to the ERAS program to relieve surgical stress and accelerate postoperative recovery. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:161-166, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.