A randomized controlled trial of an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol on opioid and anti-emetic use, length of stay and safety after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHODS: Patients who underwent LSG between March 2018 and January 2019 at our accredited, high-volume bariatric surgery center were randomized to either standard of care (SOC) or ERAS. ERAS included a pre- and post-surgical medication regimen designed to reduce postoperative nausea, vomiting and pain. Outcomes included post-operative symptom scores, opioid use, anti-emetic use, time to achieve readiness for discharge (RFD) and inpatient and 30-day adverse events, readmissions and emergency department visits. RESULTS: The final analysis included 130 patients, (SOC 65; ERAS 65). Groups did not differ on demographics or comorbidities. Relative to SOC, fewer ERAS patients utilized opioids in the hospital ward (72.3% vs. 95.4%; p < .001), peak pain scores were significantly lower, and median time to achieve RFD was shorter (28.0 h vs. 44.4 h; p = 0.001). More ERAS patients were discharged on post-operative day 1 (38.5% vs. 15.4%; p < .05). The overall use of rescue anti-emetic medications was not different between groups. Rates of postoperative 30-day events, readmissions, and emergency department visits did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Relative to SOC, ERAS was associated with earlier discharge, lower pain scores, less frequent use of opioids and use in lower amounts after LSG with no differences in 30 day safety outcomes.

Intraoperative ketamine for prevention of postoperative delirium or pain after major surgery in older adults: an international, multicentre, double-blind, randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a common and serious postoperative complication. Subanaesthetic ketamine is often administered intraoperatively for postoperative analgesia, and some evidence suggests that ketamine prevents delirium. The primary purpose of this trial was to assess the effectiveness of ketamine for prevention of postoperative delirium in older adults. METHODS: The Prevention of Delirium and Complications Associated with Surgical Treatments [PODCAST] study is a multicentre, international randomised trial that enrolled adults older than 60 years undergoing major cardiac and non-cardiac surgery under general anaesthesia. Using a computer-generated randomisation sequence we randomly assigned patients to one of three groups in blocks of 15 to receive placebo (normal saline), low-dose ketamine (0·5 mg/kg), or high dose ketamine (1·0 mg/kg) after induction of anaesthesia, before surgical incision. Participants, clinicians, and investigators were blinded to group assignment. Delirium was assessed twice daily in the first 3 postoperative days using the Confusion Assessment Method. We did analyses by intention-to-treat and assessed adverse events. This trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT01690988. FINDINGS: Between Feb 6, 2014, and June 26, 2016, 1360 patients were assessed, and 672 were randomly assigned, with 222 in the placebo group, 227 in the 0·5 mg/kg ketamine group, and 223 in the 1·0 mg/kg ketamine group. There was no difference in delirium incidence between patients in the combined ketamine groups and the placebo group (19·45% vs 19·82%, respectively; absolute difference 0·36%, 95% CI -6·07 to 7·38, p=0·92). There were more postoperative hallucinations (p=0·01) and nightmares (p=0·03) with increasing ketamine doses compared with placebo. Adverse events (cardiovascular, renal, infectious, gastrointestinal, and bleeding), whether viewed individually (p value for each >0·40) or collectively (36·9% in placebo, 39·6% in 0·5 mg/kg ketamine, and 40·8% in 1·0 mg/kg ketamine groups, p=0·69), did not differ significantly across groups. INTERPRETATION: A single subanaesthetic dose of ketamine did not decrease delirium in older adults after major surgery, and might cause harm by inducing negative experiences. FUNDING: National Institutes of Health and Cancer Center Support.