Enhanced Recovery in Gynecologic Surgery

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of enhanced recovery (a multimodal perioperative care enhancement protocol) in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery. METHODS Consecutive patients managed under an enhanced recovery pathway and undergoing cytoreduction, surgical staging, or pelvic organ prolapse surgery between June 20, 2011, and December 20, 2011, were compared with consecutive historical controls (March to December 2010) matched by procedure. Wilcoxon rank-sum, χ2, and Fisher's exact tests were used for comparisons. Direct medical costs incurred in the first 30 days were obtained from the Olmsted County Healthcare Expenditure and Utilization Database and standardized to 2011 Medicare dollars. RESULTS A total of 241 enhanced recovery women in the case group (81 cytoreduction, 84 staging, and 76 vaginal surgery) were compared with women in the control groups. In the cytoreductive group, patient-controlled anesthesia use decreased from 98.7% to 33.3% and overall opioid use decreased by 80% in the first 48 hours with no change in pain scores. Enhanced recovery resulted in a 4-day reduction in hospital stay with stable readmission rates (25.9% of women in the case group compared with 17.9% of women in the control group) and 30-day cost savings of more than $7,600 per patient (18.8% reduction). No differences were observed in rate (63% compared with 71.8%) or severity of postoperative complications (grade 3 or more: 21% compared with 20.5%). Similar, albeit less dramatic, improvements were observed in the other two cohorts. Ninety-five percent of patients rated satisfaction with perioperative care as excellent or very good. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of enhanced recovery was associated with acceptable pain management with reduced opioids, reduced length of stay with stable readmission and morbidity rates, good patient satisfaction, and substantial cost reductions.

Health economics in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery programs

“…In this review, studies investigating the cost as either a primary or secondary outcome have been conducted in Europe, [7][8][9][10][11][12] Asia, [13][14][15][16][17][18] North America, 2,19 USA, 20 and Australasia. 1,21 Six of the 17 studies were systematic reviews.…”

“…8,9,13,18,20,21 Thus, no study achieved the minimum score to be considered ''high quality''. Three studies in gynecology scored 11 of a possible 19.…”

“…20 A total of 241 ERAS cases (81 cytoreduction, 84 staging, and 76 vaginal surgeries) were compared with cases in the control groups. The ERAS program resulted in a four-day reduction in hospital stay with stable readmission rates and a 30-day cost savings of more than $7,600 USD per patient (18.8% reduction).…”

Postoperative Investigations Resulting in Cost Reduction in Oncological Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal and Pelvic Surgery

“…Good management of fast postoperative recovery, with the prevention and timely treatment of possible complications, is associated with low morbidity and a substantial reduction in hospitalization costs. (9,10) Thoraco-abdominal X-ray and abdominopelvic ultrasound were the most used imaging investigations. CT was performed at the indication of a specialist (anaesthesia and intensive care specialist, surgeon, neurologist etc.…”

Inter-device differences in monitoring for goal-directed fluid therapy

“…The results of this undertaking are the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols we know today (Table 1). [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] All ERAS protocols typically share the following features:…”