Enhanced Recovery after Surgery in Open Fetal Spina Bifida Repair

Introduction: For open fetal spina bifida (fSB) repair, a maternal laparotomy is required. Hence, enhanced maternal recovery after surgery (ERAS) is paramount. A revision of our ERAS protocol was made, including changes in operative techniques and postoperative pain management. This study investigates eventual benefits. Methods: Our study included 111 women with open fSB repair at our center. The old protocol group (group 1) either received a transverse incision of the fascia with transection of the rectus abdominis muscle (RAM) or a longitudinal incision of the fascia without RAM transection, depending on placental location. The new protocol required longitudinal incisions in all patients (group 2). Postoperative pain management was changed from tramadol to oxycodone/naloxone. Outcomes of the two different protocol groups were analyzed and compared regarding the primary endpoint, the length of hospital stay (LOS) after fetal surgery, as well as regarding the following secondary endpoints: postoperative pain scores, day of first mobilization, removal of urinary catheter, bowel movement, and the occurrence of maternal and fetal complications. Results: Out of 111 women, 82 (73.9%) were in group 1 and 29 (26.1%) were in group 2. Women in group 2 showed a significantly shorter LOS (18 [14-23] days vs. 27 [18-39] days, p = 0.002), duration until mobilization (3 [2-3] days vs. 3 [3-4] days, p = 0.03), and removal of urinary catheter (day 3 [3-3] vs. day 4 [3-4], p = 0.004). Group 2 less often received morphine subcutaneously (0% vs. 35.4%, p < 0.001) or intravenously (0% vs. 17.1%, p = 0.02) but more often oxycodone (69.0% vs. 18.3%, p < 0.001). No significant differences were seen regarding pain scores, bowel movement, and maternal and/or fetal complications. Conclusion: The new ERAS protocol that combined changes in surgical technique and pain medication led to better outcomes while reducing LOS. Continuous revisions of current ERAS protocols are essential to improve patient care continuously.