Enhanced Recovery After Gastrointestinal Surgery (ERAS) in Pediatric Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Aim To systematically review literature and to assess the status of the ERAS protocol in pediatric populations undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Methods Literature research was carried out for papers comparing ERAS and traditional protocol in children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Data on complications, hospital readmission, length of hospital stay, intraoperative fluid volume, post-operative opioid usage, time to defecation, regular diet, intravenous fluid stop, and costs were collected and analyzed. Analyses were performed using OR and CI 95%. A p value Results A total of 8 papers met the inclusion criteria, with 943 included patients. There was no significant difference in complication occurrence and 30-day readmission. Differently, length of stay, intraoperative fluid volume, post-operative opioid use, time to first defecation, time to regular diet, time to intravenous fluid stop, and costs were significantly lower in the ERAS groups. Conclusions ERAS protocol is safe and feasible for children undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. Without any significant complications and hospital readmission, it decreases length of stay, ameliorates the recovery of gastrointestinal function, and reduces the needs of perioperative infusion, post-operative opioid administration, and costs.

Automated summary

The ERAS protocol is safe and feasible for pediatric patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, effectively reducing hospital stay, improving gastrointestinal function recovery, and decreasing the need for perioperative infusions, postoperative opioids, and costs.