The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Elements that Most Greatly Impact Length of Stay and Readmission.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been shown to decrease length of stay (LOS) and improve patient outcomes in a wide variety of surgical fields; however, barriers exist preventing the implementation of all elements. We hypothesize that a subset of ERAS elements are most influential on LOS and readmission following colorectal surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of 840 patients was performed and their compliance with 24 ERAS components evaluated. Two independent machine-learning statistical algorithms were employed to determine which subset of ERAS elements was most impactful on LOS <3 days and hospital readmission. RESULTS: Increasing compliance with ERAS elements had an inverse linear relationship with LOS. Open (vs minimally invasive) surgery was associated with increased LOS. Early mobilization and multimodal pain management are the elements most protective against increased LOS. Readmissions increase with the number of morphine milligram equivalents (MME)/day. The subset of patients who underwent minimally invasive procedures, had multimodal pain control, and less than 16 MME per day were least likely (23%) to have >3-day LOS. Those patients who underwent an open procedure with less than 15 ERAS elements completed were most likely (84%) to have >3-day LOS. CONCLUSION: While increasing compliance with ERAS protocols and minimally invasive procedures decrease LOS and readmission overall, a subset of components-multimodal pain control, limited opioid use, and early mobilization-was most associated with decreased LOS and readmission. This study provides guidance on which ERAS elements should be emphasized.

Meckel's diverticulum with small bowel obstruction presenting as appendicitis in a pediatric patient.

BACKGROUND: Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital anomaly resulting from incomplete obliteration of the omphalomesenteric duct. The incidence ranges from 0.3% to 2.5% with most patients being asymptomatic. In some cases, complications involving a Meckel's diverticulum may mimic other disease processes and obscure the clinical picture. METHODS: This case presents an 8-year-old male with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting and an examination resembling appendicitis. RESULTS: A CT scan revealed findings consistent with appendicitis with dilated loops of small bowel. During laparoscopic appendectomy, the appendix appeared unimpressive, and an inflamed Meckel's diverticulum was found with an adhesive band creating an internal hernia with small bowel obstruction. The diverticulum was resected after the appendix was removed. CONCLUSION: The incidence of an internal hernia with a Meckel's diverticulum is rare. A diseased Meckel's diverticulum can be overlooked in many cases, especially in those resembling appendicitis. It is recommended that the small bowel be assessed in all appendectomy cases for a pathological Meckel's diverticulum.

A novel application for single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS): SIL jejunostomy feeding tube placement.

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is rapidly gaining popularity as the practical alternative to natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). Although SILS achieves essentially the same goal as NOTES (a nearly invisible scar in the umbilicus), it does not carry the significant potential risks of a transluminal approach. The SILS approach has been most commonly described for cholecystectomy and appendectomy. The authors describe a novel application for this approach in the placement of a feeding jejunostomy tube. The described application for this technique is the first to be reported. METHODS: The authors describe use of the technique for two intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring long-term postpyloric tube feeds. Access was obtained through the umbilicus with the SILS port. The selected loop of the jejunum was exteriorized through this incision, and the feeding tube was placed. The loop was returned into the abdomen, and the SILS port was replaced in the incision. Under laparoscopic visualization and guidance, the feeding tube was brought externally through a predetermined site in the left midabdomen. RESULTS: Two patients underwent SILS jejunostomy tube placement. The average operating time was 42.5 min. No intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications occurred. Tube feedings were started on postoperative day 1 for both patients, with good bowel function. CONCLUSION: The SILS technique for jejunostomy placement is a promising and feasible alternative to the current methods. It is less invasive than the open approach while providing complete intraabdominal visualization. It is less technically demanding than the direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) approach and avoids the risks and difficulties associated with it. The same benefits of other SILS procedures are evident in this application. The authors believe a series study will further highlight long-term benefits and any potential complications.