Does stoma modify compliance with enhanced recovery after surgery programs? Results of a cohort study

Few studies have focused on enhanced recovery programs (ERPs) in patients who have received a stoma after colorectal surgery. The objective of the study was to compare ERP compliant patients who have not received a stoma, those who received a colostomy, and those who received an ileostomy.

This study used data that had been prospectively collected as part of the ERP audit performed through the Groupe francophone de Réhabilitation Améliorée après Chirurgie [Francophone Group for Enhanced Recovery after Surgery] over a 4-year period. All patients who had undergone colorectal surgery were included and separated into three groups (no stoma, ileostomy, and colostomy). The primary outcome was ERP compliance, calculated through the use of 16 tracer items.

Of the 422 recruited patients, 317 had not received a stoma (75.12%), 59 had an ileostomy (13.98%), and 46 had a colostomy (10.90%). ERP compliance was 73% in the non-stoma group, 66.6% in the ileostomy group, and 66% in the colostomy group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that patients from the ileostomy group had a higher risk of bowel preparation [OR = 9.1; 95% CI = 1.16-71.65] and of maintaining their urinary catheter [OR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.14-0.81] than the group which did not receive a stoma. Patients from the colostomy group required significantly more drainage than those in the non-stoma group (OR = 4.3; 95% CI = 1.33-14.02).

ERP is feasible in colorectal surgery in the context of stomas, but in case of ileostomy protecting a rectal surgery, the audit system must be adapted to the protocols in use in the departments.