Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

While laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become the most commonly performed bariatric surgery procedure in the US and worldwide, it is associated with significant postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), which can lead to patient readmission for rehydration and symptom control. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is an approach that aligns the practice of anesthesia with the care given by the surgical team before, during, and after surgery. A number of prospective series, retrospective analyses and one randomized clinical trial of ERAS use in bariatric patients support the idea that ERAS in this population is feasible, effective and safe and that it is associated with shorter lengths of stay, fewer readmissions and decreased costs. In this protocol, the investigators will conduct a prospective, randomized control study using a structured and integrative perioperative plan (ERAS; n = 64) vs. current standard of care (SOC; n = 64) for patients undergoing LSG at Hartford Hospital. The investigators are guided by the idea that an enhanced recovery protocol can potentially serve to enhance the early patient experience and set the stage for a more rapid transition out of the recovery phase and into the weight loss phase of the patient's care. The investigators will incorporate a postoperative multidrug strategy targeting multiple receptors to decrease PONV and pain, similar to ERAS Society recommendations for bariatric patients.

Specific Aims and Hypotheses The central hypothesis is that the introduction of an ERAS pathway in patients undergoing LSG is feasible and will lead to better clinical outcomes.

Aim 1. To evaluate the effect that introducing an ERAS pathway will have on the use of narcotic medication for the management of postoperative pain, PONV, readiness for discharge, and overall length of stay in patients undergoing LSG.

Aim 2. To evaluate the safety of the ERAS protocol by measuring inpatient and 30-day adverse events, emergency department (ED) visits, outpatient hydration, readmission rates and delirium.

Participants will be recruited through fliers posted at Surgical Weight Loss Center locations (Glastonbury, Enfield, Hartford, Farmington, Manchester and South Windsor).