Development of an enhanced recovery after surgery program for pediatric solid tumors

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgical Oncology
• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Peri-operative Care

Background:

• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal approach to reduce surgical stress and improve outcomes.
• ERAS is increasingly adopted in pediatric surgery, but its application in abdominal tumor resections is not well-established.
• Pediatric abdominal tumor resections involve complex procedures with variable patient needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of an ERAS protocol for pediatric patients undergoing abdominal tumor resections.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of ERAS in this specific patient population.
• To inform the development and implementation of ERAS programs in pediatric surgical oncology.

Main Methods:

• A multi-center, prospective, propensity-matched case-control study was designed.
• An ERAS protocol was developed by key stakeholders for pediatric abdominal solid tumor resections.
• A pilot phase preceded patient enrollment, with primary outcome being 90-day complications.

Main Results:

• The study is currently ongoing, with data collection and analysis planned.
• Expected results will assess ERAS protocol adherence, length of stay, and patient-reported outcomes.
• Secondary outcomes include readmissions, reoperations, and pain management.

Conclusions:

• The findings are expected to guide peri-operative care for pediatric surgical oncology patients.
• This study will provide evidence for the initiation and optimization of ERAS programs in this field.
• Successful implementation of ERAS may lead to improved recovery and outcomes for children undergoing major abdominal surgery.