An Enhanced Recovery Program for Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Surgical Oncology Patients Improves Outcomes After Surgery

Background: Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS®) is a standardized perioperative approach that utilizes a multidisciplinary team to reduce physiologic stress and improve postoperative recovery. The purpose of our study is to evaluate outcomes in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (AYA) patients undergoing major oncologic operations before and after the implementation of an enhanced recovery program (ERP). Methods: All patients ≤23 years old who underwent major oncologic surgery between 1/2017-2/2022 were identified. ERP was implemented on 6/7/2021, with all patients enrolling on ERP after that date. Pre-ERP patients were selected based on similar age, diagnosis, and operations. The Mann–Whitney U-test was used to compare continuous variables, and the chi-squared test or Fisher exact test as appropriate to compare categorical variables between Pre-ERP and ERP patients. Results: A total of 47 patients were included (28 Pre-ERP, 19 ERP). The median age was 14 years (range, 1–23). 18 underwent thoracotomy, 26 laparotomy, and 3 chest wall resections. Results suggest that ERP patients had significantly shorter time to ambulation (25 h; p = 0.004) and postoperative length of stay (LOS; 3 days; p < 0.001). Two patients in the ERP group required zero narcotics after operation. Conclusion: We found initial evidence that the implementation of an ERP for pediatric, AYA patients resulted in positive postoperative outcomes – a decrease in postoperative LOS and promoted early mobility without an increase in readmission rates. Enhanced recovery programs should be incorporated into the care of pediatric, AYA oncology patients undergoing oncologic surgery. Level of Evidence: Retrospective Comparative Study – Level III.