ORLANDO – The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways increased same-day discharge rates, but also was associated with a slight increase in readmissions within 30 days, according to a retrospective review of urogynecology cases at a single institution.
ERAS implementation also decreased total opioid use and pain scores, increased preemptive antiemetic use, and reduced rescue antiemetic needs in the postanesthesia care unit, Charelle M. Carter-Brooks, MD, reported at the annual scientific meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons.
In a separate study at an urban safety-net hospital, ERAS implementation was feasible and rapidly accomplished, and resulted in a number of improved outcomes among gynecologic surgery patients, including reduced intraoperative opioid and intravenous fluid use, reduced postoperative intravenous opioid use, and shorter Foley catheter duration – all without an increase in total adverse events.
In the first study, same-day discharge rates were 91.7% in 137 women who underwent urogynecologic surgery after ERAS implementation vs. 25.9% in 121 patients who underwent surgery before ERAS implementation, and average length of admission decreased by 17.4 hours (27.7 vs. 10.3 hours), Dr. Carter-Brooks of Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, reported in an oral paper presentation.
Operative time and postsurgical recovery room times were similar before and after ERAS implementation, but earlier discharge in the ERAS group was associated with about a 5% increase in readmission rates within 30 days (readmission rates of 1.5% and 6.7% before and after implementation), she noted.
Other outcomes, including postoperative complications, urinary tract infections, emergency room visits, unanticipated office visits, and returns to the operating room were similar in the two groups, she said.
After adjusting for age, body mass index, comorbidities, and operative time, length of stay decreased by 13.6 hours after ERAS implementation; after adjusting for age and operative time, same-day discharge was 32 times more likely after ERAS implementation; and after adjusting for age, operative time, and prolapse surgery type, readmission was 5.7 times more likely after ERAS implementation, she said.