Enhanced recovery (ERAS) protocol in patients undergoing laparoscopic total gastrectomy

Introduction

An increase in the number of laparoscopic operations performed due to gastrointestinal neoplasms can be noticed [1]. Laparoscopy in comparison to the classical approach is associated with a lesser degree of postoperative pain, quicker recovery and superior life quality in the postoperative period [2]. Combined with the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery after Surgery) protocol, laparoscopy leads to a shorter hospital stay and decreased risk of postoperative complications, especially in case of colorectal surgery [3]. The first reports on laparoscopic gastric resections due to cancer appeared in the early 1990s [4, 5]. Similar to the operations on other organs, laparoscopic gastrectomy is associated with better postoperative outcomes when compared to the classical approach [6]. Even though such procedures were performed over 20 years ago for the first time, there are relatively few centers in the world where laparoscopy is routinely used for gastric resection. Publications analyzing long-term results of gastric cancer treatment by this technique are also not numerous [7]. The first laparoscopic gastrectomy in Poland was performed in 2012 by Dr Maciej Michalik and his surgical team. This kind of laparoscopic surgery is performed only in a few centers in our country and such procedures are not routine practice.

Aim

The aim of the study is to present early results of treatment of patients with gastric neoplasms who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy and in whose perioperative period the ERAS protocol was used.

Material and methods

Prospective analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic D2 gastrectomy in the period from January to December 2013 was performed. The studied group included 11 patients (6 females and 5 males). Mean age was 59.8 years (40–77 years) and mean body mass index was 23.4 kg/m² (16.1–39.1 kg/m²).
The indications for the surgery were malignant gastric tumors: adenocarcinoma in 10 patients and multiple neuroendocrine tumor in 1 patient. In all patients prior to the surgery the diagnosis was confirmed with the histopathological result and the imaging studies did not show signs of distant metastases. Seven out of 10 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy due to the preoperative state of advancement.
Early treatment results, such as number of conversions, number and character of perioperative complications, postoperative period and the length of hospital stay, were then analyzed.

Operative technique

After creation of pneumoperitoneum 5 trocars were introduced. Trocar sites were infiltrated with bupivacaine solution. The procedure began with dissection of the gastric cardia and resection of the gastohepatic ligament with excision of pericardial lymph nodes (1st and 2nd gastric lymph node stations), followed by mobilization of the distal, mediastinal part of the esophagus. In the next step, the greater omentum was divided from the transverse colon and the omental sac was opened. After cutting the spleno-transversal ligament the fatty tissue of the splenic hilum and that superior to the splenic artery were removed together with lymph nodes of the 10th and 11th gastric lymph node stations. The left gastric artery was dissected, clipped and divided at the point where it leaves the celiac trunk, with subsequent removal of lymph nodes (7th gastric lymph node station) and fatty tissue of that area. The esophagus was transected with an Echelon 45 stapler (blue color). The right gastric artery was then dissected, clipped and divided at the point where it leaves the common hepatic artery and the lymph nodes of the 8th lymph node station were removed. The duodenum was isolated and cut and the duodenal stump was closed with an Echelon 60 stapler (white color). Subsequently, a retrocolic esophagoenteric anastomosis with 70 cm long Roux loop was created. The posterior 2/3 of the anastomosis was performed with an Echelon 45 stapler (white color), and its anterior wall was closed with two absorbable continuous 3/0 stitches. Enteroenteric anastomosis was performed with a similar technique (Echelon 45 stapler (white color) and two absorbable continuous 3/0 stitches). The specimen was placed in a plastic bag and then removed through minilaparotomy protected with the Alexis wound protector. The blue dye leakage test of the esophagoenteric anastomosis was performed at the end of surgery. Drains (used only in 5 patients) were removed on the day after surgery. In two patients drains were removed later because during the intraoperative blue dye leakage test there was a leakage and a second layer of sutures had to be put over the stapling line. In the case of one patient due to the presence of a single lesion in the duodenal bulb, the margins of the distal resection were widened. In another patient, because of the localization of cancer, it was necessary to dissect the larger part of the esophagus for a satisfactory proximal resection margin. For better postoperative pain management transversus abdominis plane block (TAP-block) was performed at the end of the procedure.

Perioperative care

Patients were admitted to the hospital 1 day before the surgery. At admission, detailed information on planned treatment and perioperative care was provided to them. Two hours before the surgery all patients received 250 ml of carbohydrate-rich drink. Intraoperatively the fluid therapy was restricted, and sodium-rich crystalloids were partially replaced by colloids. All patients received prophylaxis for postoperative nausea and vomiting by intravenous dexamethasone and ondansetron administration before the end of surgery. No esophagoenteric tubes were left after the surgery. On the day of surgery patients could drink clear fluids as desired. Intravenous administration of fluids was restricted. All patients were mobilized (sat up in bed, walked with assistance) on the same day as the operation. On the first postoperative day a single shot of antibiotics was administered (2 γ of cefazolin). Ketoprofen and paracetamol were used for analgesia. Only in 3 patients was there a need to administer low subcutaneous morphine doses (not more than 20 mg per day). Esophagojejunal anastomosis was tested for patency or leakage via upper gastrointestinal tract X-ray series with water-soluble contrast. None of the patients had stenosis or anastomotic leakage. The diet was expanded gradually with supplementation of protein-rich drinks. Drains were removed on the second day.

Results

Mean operative time was 245 min (160–420 min). In 1 patient due to cancer infiltration of the transverse colon a conversion was performed and the resection margins included a segment of colon. In another patient with infiltration on the pancreas hand-assisted R2 resection was performed (hand-assisted laparoscopic gastrectomy – HALG). Moreover, in one patient splenic artery injury happened during dissection of neighboring tissues with a Ligasure vessel sealer. The vessel was successfully sutured, but due to the suturing delay and signs of thrombosis in the vessel, laparoscopic splenectomy had to be performed. There were no other intraoperative complications. In 1 of the patients who preoperatively received parenteral nutrition for 2 weeks central venous catheter sepsis occurred. It was successfully managed with antibiotic therapy.
All of the patients (100%) started postoperative oral fluid intake on the day of surgery. After the test of esophagojejunal anastomosis for patency via upper gastrointestinal tract X-ray series with water-soluble contrast, the diet was extended. Even though there were no postoperative nausea and vomiting episodes, full diet and oral protein supplements on the second postoperative day were tolerated well only in 8 out of 11 (72.7%) patients. All of the patients (100%) were mobilized on the day of surgery (sitting up, walking), and on the second postoperative day every patient spent at least 5 h out of bed. The urinary catheter was removed in the evening of the day of surgery. No urinary retention was observed. In 2 patients (18.1%) opioid administration was needed. Mean length of hospital stay was 4.6 days. No rehospitalizations within 30 days after discharge were noted.
Histological analysis confirmed the tentative diagnosis in all patients. Besides the aforementioned patient with cancer infiltration of the pancreas, R0 resection was achieved. Every specimen included lymph nodes from the D2 group. All patients were directed to the oncological outpatient clinic for further adjuvant therapy.

Discussion

Even though the first laparoscopic gastrectomies due to cancer were performed in 1993, there are controversies regarding this method [8]. Opponents of this technique question the oncological quality of the procedure compared to the classical approach. Comparison of laparoscopic and classical methods concluded that the number of lymph nodes removed during the operation is similar regardless of preferred technique [9–11]. Histopathological evaluation in all abovementioned operations proved them to be radical, and lymphangiectomy included lymph nodes from the D2 group. It also seems worth mentioning that the recent meta‑analyses did not show improvement of long-term treatment results when lymphangiectomy was extended to D2. Moreover, D2 gastrectomy (as well as D3) was associated with higher risk of early postoperative complications and greater mortality when compared to D1 [10, 12–14].
Undoubtedly, laparoscopic gastrectomy is one of the most difficult operations among the minimally invasive abdominal procedures and the success rate and the lymphangiectomy range strongly depend on the surgeon’s experience. There are nearly 400 advanced laparoscopic procedures performed yearly in our hospital. A substantial number of them include procedures on the stomach, and the experience acquired during bariatric procedures (gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy), operations on the gastroesophageal junction (Nissen fundoplication, Heller’s cardiomyotomy), splenectomies, and most importantly, operations due to gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), allowed the first total gastrectomy due to malignancy, preserving oncological radicality of the procedure, to be performed. The results of available research studies indicated that the surgical center’s experience in gastric resections has a significant impact on the results of the treatment and 5-year survival [14]. Thus the extension of the procedure seems to have a smaller influence on the treatment results in gastric cancer patients. When performing laparoscopic gastrectomy we decided to perform an intracorporeal esophagojejunal anastomosis with the Roux loop according to the same technique used in our center during bariatric gastric bypass procedures. Although there are other methods of anastomotic creation, based on our experience and opinions of other authors this exact method seems to be associated with lower probability of leakage or stenosis [15–17].
Perioperative care was based on the guidelines of the ERAS protocol, which we actively use in our center in colorectal and bariatric surgery. The use of the ERAS protocol aims to achieve quicker recovery after surgery and together with laparoscopy can lead to a decrease of early complications [6]. Although fasting even up to 12 h prior to the surgery has been standard practice to avoid pulmonary aspiration in elective surgery, a review of recent studies found no scientific support for this. A review of available studies and clinical observations provided robust evidence that reducing the preoperative fasting for clear fluids to 2 h and solid foods to 6 h does not lead to an increase in complication rates. Additionally, administration of carbohydrate-rich fluids 2–3 h prior to the surgery reduces the fasting time, which decreases catabolic reaction, reduces insulin resistance of the organism, and has an overall positive influence on the nitrogen balance [18, 19]. It is also proved to be safe in patients with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes mellitus [20]. In the postoperative period a liquid diet can be applied on the day of surgery. From the second day, after radiological control of esophagoenteric anastomotic sufficiency, the diet is gradually enriched, so on the third postoperative day patients received a full mixed semi-liquid diet. The majority of patients in our study (72%) tolerated it well.
In many centers postoperative oral intake tends to be restrictive; however, there is strong evidence that early postoperative enteral feeding (on the day of surgery) reduces the catabolic phase of the organism, fastens the return of intestinal function and decreases the risk of postoperative complications (as well as reducing the risk of anastomotic leakage). This was most extensively studied in colorectal surgery [21, 22].
Without doubt, there are far fewer publications available on the similar topic in the case of upper gastrointestinal tract surgery. According to Lassen et al., who performed a multicenter randomized control trial on upper gastrointestinal surgery patients, early introduction of a full diet from the first postoperative day was not associated with an increased complications rate and allowed the hospital stay to be reduced [23]. Summing up, it seems that early oral intake, starting with a small amount of mixed food or protein-rich drinks, results in a faster return of the gastrointestinal tract and reduced hospital stay length.
The key element of modern perioperative care is optimal fluid management during and after surgery. Excessive fluid administration leads to water accumulation in the extravascular compartment and results in tissue edema, which is detrimental to the surgical outcome. This will affect intestinal function and prolong the postoperative return of peristalsis [24].. Moreover, overload with crystalloids significantly increases the complications rate, including anastomotic dehiscence [25, 26]. To avoid this, restrictive fluid therapy is essential during the operation, and when possible, intravenous fluid therapy should be limited and crystalloids should be replaced with colloids. Early enteral feeding allows one to reduce postoperative intravenous fluid administration. The examined group of patients was allowed to drink desired amounts of fluids on the day of the surgery, which partially eliminated the need for intravenous drips. No advantage of routine use of an esophagoenteric tube has been shown. It did not decrease the anastomotic dehiscence risk, the number of pulmonary complications or the mortality rate. Additionally it has been shown that leaving the esophagoenteric tube prolongs postoperative ileus and time of the first passage of flatus. Also it significantly decreases the patient’s comfort postoperatively [27]. Evidence also shows no benefit in use of drains in the case of colorectal surgery, in surgery of the pancreas, appendix or gallbladder [28, 29]. No publications on this topic were found in regards to upper gastrointestinal surgery. An advantage of minimally invasive technique can be that relaparoscopy in the case of suspicion of bleeding or anastomotic dehiscence is associated with lower complications risk than relaparotomy [6].
In the described group of patients drains were left in situ in the first 3 patients as well as the 2 aforementioned patients who had a positive intraoperative blue dye leakage test and required an additional layer of stitches over the stapling line. However, minimal postoperative drainage allowed for the early removal of drains.
A fundamental role in postoperative care is dedicated to analgesia. Even though epidural anesthesia plays the most important role in classical operations, its use in laparoscopy is limited. Evidence has shown that analgesia based on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is generally sufficient in laparoscopic surgery [30, 31]. In our opinion non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs together with paracetamol can provide full pain control in the first few days after surgery. When needed, small doses of stronger painkillers can be administered at the patient’s will. An important element of ERAS protocol-based postoperative care is early mobilization [32]. The importance of early mobilization is well depicted by the study conducted in Yeovil, which showed that failure of early mobilization is one of the most common causes of deviation from the ERAS protocol and is associated with prolonged hospital stay [33]. Early effective postoperative mobilization of patients is possible mainly due to adequate pain control. Similarly, restriction of intravenous fluid administration, early urinary catheter and drain removal improves postoperative patients’ comfort, leading to earlier postoperative mobilization.
The presented results do not allow us to conclude about long-term treatment results in patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy. However, the recently performed studies suggest that minimally invasive techniques allow for similar long-term results when compared to the classical approach [7, 34, 35]. Laparoscopic operations are associated with smaller blood loss and a lower complication rate. They are characterized by shorter hospital stay, and their combination with the ERAS program results in faster recovery, which is especially valuable in the context of adjuvant chemotherapy planned in the postoperative period.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic gastrectomy performed in a high volume center for minimally invasive surgery could be a valuable alternative to the classical approach. Even though the laparoscopic method is more technically demanding and more time-consuming, combined with the ERAS protocol it can result in a reduced hospital stay. Due to the small group of patients it is difficult to adequately assess the incidence of early and late complications of the laparoscopic procedures, although some publications confirm the abovementioned advantages of this method, emphasizing the possibility of oncological radicality in gastric cancer surgery.

Acknowledgments

This publication was financed with the support of Leading National Research Centre 2012–2017.

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Received: 20.09.2013, accepted: 17.02.2014.