Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Improves Length of Stay and Decreases Complications After Resection of Abdominal Neuroblastoma

A multi-center prospective study evaluated a structured ERAS pathway for children undergoing abdominal neuroblastoma resection

The ERAS protocol included 20 evidence-based elements spanning the entire perioperative process

ERAS protocol elements included preoperative counseling, hydrate loading, standardized multimodal analgesia, early feeding, and early mobilization

Length of stay decreased from about 7 days to 3.7 days

Post-operative opioid use dropped by over half

Patients resumed regular diets and ambulated about 3 days earlier

The proportion of patients experiencing any postoperative complication decreased by over 50%

Patients were cleared to resume adjuvant chemotherapy earlier at around 8 days as opposed to 10 days

A structured ERAS pathway meaningfully improves recovery even after complex neuroblastoma resections

ERAS represents a tangible opportunity to standardize perioperative care for neuroblastoma resection