Guide to Enhanced Recovery for Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery: Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a highly complex operation with high rates of morbidity and significant potential for perioperative mortality. Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols following PD aim to standardize post-operative clinical pathways in an effort to decrease surgical stress, minimize practice variation, and accelerate postoperative recovery. We reviewed current evidence and provide recommendations for enhanced recovery after PD protocols.

Current evidence regarding enhanced recovery after PD were reviewed. Recommendations for enhanced recovery after PD protocols are provided based on evidence and expert opinion.

Key clinical factors required for a enhanced recovery after PD protocol to reduce postoperative complications and promote a faster recovery include patient and provider education, preoperative oral nutrition until 2-3 h prior to surgery, goal-directed intravenous fluid management, early advancement of oral diet, multimodal analgesia, early mobilization, normoglycemia, and early removal of intra-abdominal drains when clinically indicated. A PD specific protocol has been shown to reduce rates of PD-specific and overall complications as well as shorten postoperative hospital length of stay.

The key facilitator to a successful enhanced recovery after PD protocol is careful multi-disciplinary planning with input from all stakeholders. Evidenced-based enhanced recovery protocols have been shown to reduce postoperative morbidity and accelerate postoperative recovery following PD.