Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Patients Undergoing Emergency Laparotomy

Since Kehlet first proposed enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in the 1990s, researchers have been widely adopted. Preoperative counseling, standardized anesthesia management protocols, more optimal postoperative analgesic regimens, restriction of intubation and catheterization, early postoperative mobilization, and early oral intake of food are all part of ERAS programs. These programs began in colorectal surgery and have now been expanded to other surgical specialties. Several studies have shown that patients benefit from ERAS programs, including reduced pain, faster return to bowel function, shorter hospital stays, and lower health care costs. However, investigators found that ERAS programs are rarely used for emergency surgery.

Emergency surgery is the treatment of choice for acute abdominal conditions such as traumatic liver rupture, traumatic splenic rupture, and complete bowel obstruction. Nevertheless, investigators found that most clinical studies of ERAS excluded patients who underwent emergency surgery. This is because most researchers probably believe that emergency surgery does not allow enough time for ERAS-related preoperative preparation. In fact, some ERAS programs can be used for emergency surgery, such as the anesthetic modality of combined anesthesia, postoperative multimodal analgesia, earlier postoperative oral feeding and ambulation, and earlier removal of invasive catheters. However, few studies have focused on the use of ERAS in emergency surgery.

The present study is a randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of an ERAS program in emergency abdominal surgery. Investigators hypothesized that an ERAS program could be implemented into emergency surgery and reduce postoperative recovery time without increasing the complication rate and readmission rate (<30 days).

The standard operating procedures for the study are as follows:

• Participants will be randomised into the ERAS group and the conventional group.
• Preoperative care: A number of preoperative protocols were similar in both groups, including (1) surgical risk assessment; (2) preoperative placement of a nasogastric tube (NG); (3) preoperative administration of crystalloid fluids to replenish blood volume; (4) empiric antibiotics and acid-reducing therapy administered intravenously; and (5) intravenous analgesia.

In the ERAS group, an epidural catheter was placed in the lumbar 3-4 space before surgery to facilitate intraoperative epidural anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia. At the same time, ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein (IJV) cannulation was performed to monitor central venous pressure (CVP). CVP-guided infusion, i.e., goal-directed fluid therapy, was maintained at a CVP of 8-10 cm of saline. Depending on the urinary output, blood pressure, heart rate, and clinical signs of dehydration, fluids were administered according to an institutional care plan in the routine care group. Dexamethasone 4 mg IV was given shortly before induction of anaesthesia.

• Intraoperative care: All patients underwent emergency open surgery. Appropriate surgical incisions were selected based on adequate provision of good surgical vision and surgical space. If intra-abdominal fluid was found, it was aspirated and sent for bacterial culture. The final decision on the surgical approach is based on the surgeon's opinion and intraoperative findings. If anastomosis was deemed unsafe, an ileostomy without anastomosis was performed. Table 1 shows the changes in the anaesthesia regimen in the ERAS group. The anesthesiologist decided on the anaesthesia for the conventional group. In the ERAS group, an experienced surgeon set up an abdominal drain as needed during the procedure. In the conventional care group, an abdominal drain was routinely placed.
• Postoperative care: Patients in the ERAS group were asked to start simple bed activities, such as moving both lower limbs, on the day of surgery (POD-0), provided that the epidural catheter was secure. At POD-1, patients were asked to sit for at least 2 hours and then get out of bed after the epidural catheter was removed at POD-2. In the conventional group, patients were encouraged to be active at POD-2, starting with simple bed activities and gradually transitioning to normal walking without any specific requirements.