title: Systematic review of the influence of enhanced recovery pathways in elective lung resection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Enhanced-recovery pathways aim to accelerate postoperative recovery and facilitate early hospital discharge. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence regarding the influence of this intervention in patients undergoing lung resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement. Eight bibliographic databases (Medline, Embase, BIOSIS, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for studies comparing postoperative outcomes in adult patients treated within an enhanced-recovery pathway or traditional care. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six studies fulfilled our selection criteria (1 randomized and 5 nonrandomized studies). All the nonrandomized studies reported shorter length of stay in the intervention group (difference, 1.2-9.1 days), but the randomized study reported no differences. There were no differences between groups in readmissions, overall complications, and mortality rates. Two nonrandomized studies reported reduction in hospital costs in the intervention group. Risk of bias favoring enhanced recovery pathways was high.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A small number of low-quality comparative studies have evaluated the influence of enhanced-recovery pathways in patients undergoing lung resection. Some studies suggest that this intervention may reduce length of stay and hospital costs, but they should be interpreted in light of several methodologic limitations. This review highlights the need for well-designed trials to provide conclusive evidence about the role of enhanced-recovery pathways in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Julio F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.affiliation: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bejjani
authors.affiliation: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Conrad
authors.affiliation: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Petru
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Niculiseanu
authors.affiliation: Montreal General Hospital Medical Library, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Landry
authors.affiliation: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Lorenzo E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.affiliation: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address: liane.feldman@mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Liane S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000191:economics; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D010359:Patient Readmission; D018579:Patient Selection; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: lobectomy; lung cancer surgery; outcomes; perioperative care