Implementation of enhanced recovery programs for bariatric surgery. Results from the Francophone large-scale database

The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of programs for enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery (ERABS) are now well established. However, data concerning their large-scale implementation remain insufficient.

The objective of the present study was to review the multicenter implementation of ERABS SETTING: This retrospective analysis of a prospective database was conducted in 15 Groupe francophone de Rehabilitation Améliorée après ChirurgiE centers from data from March 2014 to January 2017.

The Francophone working Group for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Groupe francophone de Rehabilitation Améliorée après ChirurgiE) edited and released protocols of ERABS for its members. Compliance with ERABS, lengths of hospital stay, and postoperative morbidity were obtained from the Groupe francophone de Rehabilitation Améliorée après ChirurgiE-audit database.

In this study, 1667 patients were included. Procedures were sleeve gastrectomy (n = 1011), gastric bypass (n = 300), or mini-bypass (n = 356). Mean body mass index was 41.8 ± 8.3 kg/m². Global morbidity was 2.57%, and surgery-related morbidity was 1.67% (mostly anastomotic leakages and hemorrhage). Mean length of hospital stay was 2.4 ± 3.6 days. Overall compliance was 79.6%. Among the 23 elements of the ERABS program, 14 were applied in>70% of instances, 6 in between 50% and 70%, and 3 in<50%. The elements least often applied were limb intermittent pneumatic compression during surgery (23.3%), multimodal analgesia (49.5%), and optimal perioperative fluid management (43.8%).

This study shows that even if the overall compliance was good, the large-scale implementation of ERABS can still be improved, as several elements remain insufficiently applied. This finding highlights the importance of thorough, continuous training in addition to the need for repeated audits by centers involved in ERABS programs.