The Impact of Steroids and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Colectomies in the Era of Enhanced Recovery.

INTRODUCTION

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols are commonly used, but their utility in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and steroid use is poorly studied. We sought to examine influence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and steroid use on hospital length of stay (LOS) and operative duration in patients undergoing colectomies in the era of ERAS.

METHODS

We performed retrospective review of our institutional National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) registry (2016-2018) for colectomies. We performed 2 distinct analyses to examine influence of steroids and IBD on LOS and operative duration. Multivariable linear regression was used to predict outcomes after adjusting for relevant perioperative features.

RESULTS

There were 366 patients in the cohort; 17.8% were on steroids and 16.4% had IBD. Patients using steroids had longer LOS (6 vs 4 days, < .0001). IBD patients had a longer LOS (7 vs 5 days, < .0001) and longer operative duration (383 min vs 335.5 minute, = .01) compared to non-IBD patients. On multivariable analysis, steroid use was not associated with increased LOS or operative duration. Inflammatory bowel disease was associated with an increased hospital LOS and operative duration.

DISCUSSION

Patients on steroids had longer LOS when compared to patients not on steroids. Inflammatory bowel disease regardless of steroid use was found to be a significant risk factor for both increased LOS and operative duration. A closer look at preoperative physiology may help to tailor ERAS protocols in patients with inflammatory conditions.