Enhanced value with implementation of an ERAS protocol for ventral hernia repair

Area of Science:

• Surgery
• Health Economics
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Open ventral hernia repair (VHR) is linked to complications and readmissions.
• Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols can improve VHR outcomes, including bowel function and infection rates.
• Cost-effectiveness of ERAS for VHR requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare hospital costs for VHR patients before and after ERAS protocol implementation.
• To evaluate the impact of an ERAS protocol on clinical outcomes in VHR.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of VHR patients' clinical data and hospital costs.
• Comparison of 127 pre-ERAS patients with 51 post-ERAS patients.
• Analysis of postoperative outcomes and index hospitalization costs.

Main Results:

• ERAS patients showed a faster return of bowel function (p=0.001) and reduced superficial surgical site infections (p=0.003).
• No significant difference in hospital length of stay was observed between groups.
• While inpatient pharmacy costs increased for ERAS patients, total hospital costs remained similar ($14,692 vs. $15,151, p=0.538).

Conclusions:

• Standardizing hernia care with ERAS protocols improves clinical outcomes.
• ERAS implementation for VHR does not significantly alter total hospital costs.