Outcomes of an enhanced recovery after radical cystectomy program in a prospective multicenter study: compliance and key components for success.

To investigate the effect of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program on complications and length of stay (LOS) after radical cystectomy (RC) and to assess if the number and type of components of ERAS play a key role on the decrease of surgical morbidity.

We analyzed the data of 277 patients prospectively recruited in 11 hospitals undergoing RC initially managed according to local practice (Group I) and later within an ERAS program (Group II). Two main outcomes were defined: 90-day complications rate and LOS. As secondary variables we studied 90-day mortality, 30-day readmission and transfusion rate.

Patients in Group II had a higher use of ERAS measures (98.6%) than those in Group I (78.2%) (p < 0.05). Patients in Groups I and II experienced similar complications (70.5% vs. 66%, p = 0.42). LOS was not different between Groups I and II (12.5 and 14 days, respectively, p = 0.59). The risk of having any complication decreases for patients having more than 15 ERAS measures adopted [RR = 0.815; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.667-0.996; p = 0.045]. Avoidance of transfusion and nasogastric tube, prevention of ileus, early ambulation and a fast uptake of a regular diet are independently associated with the absence of complications.

Complications and LOS after RC were not modified by the introduction of an ERAS program. We hypothesize that at least 15 measures should be applied to maximize the benefit of ERAS.

World journal of urology. 2020 Mar 05 [Epub ahead of print]

C Llorente, A Guijarro, V Hernández, G Fernández-Conejo, J Passas, L Aguilar, A Tejido, C Hernández, M Moralejo, D Subirá, C González-Enguita, A Husillos, F Ortiz, M Sánchez-Chapado, J Carballido, I Castillón, E Mateo, I Romero, J Fernández Del Álamo, L Llanes, C Blázquez, M Sánchez-Encinas, J Borrego, M Téllez, L Díez, V M Carrero, E Pérez-Fernández, L Fuentes-Ramirez, S García Del Valle

Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, c\Budapest no. 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain. ., Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, c\Budapest no. 1, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain., Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain., Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain., Department of Urology, Fundación Jimenez Díaz, Madrid, Spain., Department of Urology, Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, Madrid, Spain., Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain., Department of Urology, Hospital de Getafe, Madrid, Spain., Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario de Torrejón, Madrid, Spain., Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain., Department of Urology, Hospital Severo Ochoa, Madrid, Spain., Department of Urology, Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain., Department of Research, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain., Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.