Association between use of ERAS protocols and complications after radical cystectomy

Purpose Implementation of enhanced recovery protocols in cystectomy patients has significantly changed the perioperative course of this major operation. This paper summarizes evidence based interventions to enhance the postoperative course of radical cystectomy. Methods A comprehensive search of PubMed and Embase databases was performed and also the results of our institutional enhanced recovery protocol were discussed. Results One of the major advantages of such changes is the reduced rate of postoperative gastrointestinal (GI) complications especially postoperative ileus which could be contributed to several components of these protocols. However, Alvimopan is the only component which its use is supported by level I evidence. Although there are some evidence suggesting the decreased rate of urinary tract infection with the use of prophylactic antibiotics and wound complications by the use of negative wound pressure devices, their clear benefit is yet to be shown. Although robotic approach has proven advantages in intraoperative blood loss and postoperative blood transfusion rate, surgical team's experience and dedicated infrastructure seem to be more influential in optimized outcome than just the surgical approach. Conclusion current evidence suggests that such protocols have not only reached the goal of maintaining complication rate while decreasing length of hospital stay, but it might have caused a decrease in the rate of low-grade complications, especially GI complications.