Analysis of the results of ERAS protocol in real-life clinical practice AFTER radical cystectomy (the first prospective multicenter study in Russia)

Aim: to carry out a multicenter prospective analysis of the results of the ERAS protocol in patients undergoing radical cystectomy in real-life clinical practice. The aims of the study were to assess the complication and mortality rate after radical cystectomy using the ERAS protocol and to assess how often ERAS protocol was implemented. Materials and methods: a multicenter study was carried out in 4 clinics in Russia. A total of 134 patients who underwent radical cystectomy in 2017 were prospectively analyzed. Open and laparoscopic radical cystectomy was performed in 35 (26.1%) and 99 (73.9%) patients, respectively. Bricker procedure prevailed as a method for urine derivation (91.7%). Complication and mortality rate, and each principle of ERAS protocol was analyzed both in the general sample of patients and separately for open and laparoscopic radical cystectomy. Results: length of hospitalization before the radical cystectomy was 1 (1-2) day. The median duration of surgery was 260 (205-300) minutes, median blood loss was 300 (200-400) ml. The median of the patient’s time in ICU was 1 (0-2) day. A total of 95 (70%) complications were recorded in the 90-day period after the surgery, including Clavien I-II category in 52 (38.8%) cases and Clavien III-IV in 43 (32%) cases. Of these, gastrointestinal tract complications were predominated. Gastroparesis requiring a nasogastric tube was observed in 16 (11.9%) patients. Ileus developed in 43 (32.1%) cases, and 22 patients (16.4 %) were managed conservatively; however, 21 patients (15.7%) undergone to reoperation. A 90-days mortality reached 5.2% and the main causes included multiple organ failure as a complication of peritonitis, acute heart failure after myocardial infarction and massive bleeding. Re-hospitalization rate was 9.7% (n=13). Length of stay was 12 (9-16) days. According to univariate and multivariate analysis, an absence of antibacterial prophylaxis, a history of coronary heart disease and the patient’s age more than 75 years were predictors of an increased complication rate. A 30 -days mortality rate is 5.2%, and re-hospitalization was required in 9.7% (n=13) cases. An average length of stay was 12 (9-16) days. Frequency of implementation of ERAS protocol in each of the participating clinic varied. Open and laparoscopic radical cystectomy have insignificant differences in some intra- and postoperative parameters, but, in general, both approaches are comparable in terms of complications, mortality, and length of stay. Conclusion: 1. Despite the use of the ERAS protocol, radical cystectomy has a high frequency of complications (up to 70%); most of them are Clavien I-II. A 30-days mortality rate is 5.2%, and re-hospitalization is required in 9.7% cases. 2. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that an absence of antibacterial prophylaxis, a coronary heart disease and the patient’s age more than 75 years are predictors of an increased complication rate. 3. Open and laparoscopic radical cystectomy have insignificant differences in some intra- and postoperative parameters, but, in general, both approaches are comparable in terms of complications, mortality, and length of stay. 4. To obtain more convincing data on the ERAS protocol after radical cystectomy, long-term studies are required.

bladder cancer, radical cystectomy, complications after radical cystectomy, mortality after radical cystectomy, enhanced recovery after surgery