NutriCatt protocol in the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program for colorectal surgery: The nutritional support improves clinical and cost-effectiveness outcomes

Background Postoperative complications and length of hospital stay (LOS) are major issues and affect hospital costs. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are effective in reducing morbidity and LOS after major surgery. We propose a nutritional protocol within ERAS programs in colorectal surgery, starting from preadmission. Methods We compared the ERAS + NutriCatt approach versus the ERAS standard program adopted in our center in the previous months. Complications, LOS, hospital readmission at 30 days, and late complications (at 90 days) were assessed and compared. A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed. Results A total of 114 patients were treated according to the ERAS program between April 2015 and January 2016; 105 were enrolled in the ERAS + NutriCatt protocol from February to September 2016; Patients' characteristics were similar in the two groups, except for American Society of Anesthesiologists score, which was significantly worse in the ERAS + NutriCatt cohort; preoperative diagnoses and surgical approaches were similar in the two periods. LOS was significantly inferior in the ERAS + NutriCatt protocol (4.9 ± 1.7 d; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.60–5.28) compared with the standard ERAS program (6.1 ± 3.9 d, 95% CI 5.36–6.81) (P = 0.006), as were postoperative complications (36, 34.3% versus 55, 48.2%; P = 0.03). Complications within 90 d were 0 in ERAS + NutriCatt and 4 in the ERAS standard cohort. Cost-effectiveness analyses indicated savings in the ERAS + NutriCatt protocol. Conclusions Nutritional care, starting from the preadmission visit, is able to reduce LOS, postoperative and late complications, and costs, in addition to ERAS standard items in colorectal surgery.