Objective To confirm the safety and efficacy of outpatient management of laparoscopic appendectomy, with an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol, in adult patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Summary background data Outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy is feasible and secure in selected patients in observational studies. The benefits include reduced length of stay (LOS) and postoperative complications. This is the first randomized controlled trial of outpatient management following ERAS protocol. Methods Patients admitted from the emergency department with acute appendicitis were randomized into one of two groups: standard care within the hospital (HG) or the outpatient group (OG). An ERAS protocol was followed for both groups. Patients in the HG were admitted to the surgical ward. Patients in the OG were referred to the day-surgery unit. The primary endpoint was the length of stay. Results Ninety-seven patients were included: 49 in the OG and 48 in the HG. LOS was significantly shorter in the OG (mean 8.82 h) than in the HG (mean 43.53 h), p < 0.001. There was no difference in readmission rates (p = 0.320); we observed only one readmission in the OG. No further emergency consultations or complications were observed. The cost saving was $516.52/patient as a result of the intervention. Conclusion Outpatient management of appendectomy is safe and feasible procedure in selected patients. This approach could become the standard of care for patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, showing fewer complications, lower LOS and cost. Trial registration: Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05401188) Clinical Trial ID: NCT05401188

A. Ventana sagital paramedial oblicua para el acceso de la rama medial del nervio raquídeo posterior guiado ecográficamente. Rev Soc Esp Dolor 2015; 22(3): 134-141. ABSTRACT Objectives:The most used ultrasound guided medial branch block method requires the use of a biplane ultrasound technique. Using this technique the cannula is positioned not parallel to the medial branch by limiting their use to perform conventional radiofrequency. Using a sonographic parasagittal obliqua view allows placing the cannula parallel to the nerve, achieving sensory and motor stimuli and making possible radiofrequency above L5 lumbar segments. In the present study we determined the effectiveness of this new approach by using fluoroscopy and by obtention of sensory and motor stimuli.Material and methods: Thirty-one patients diagnosed with lumbar facet joint pain proposed for diagnostic medial branch blocks were studied. We describe four lumbar sequential sonographic views necessary to include patients in the study. Once obtained, the target point is located using a parasagittal oblique sonographic view to achieve the external face of the superior articular process and the more dorsal part of the transverse process. Puncture is performed guided in plane to place the tip at the junction between superior articular process and transverse process. Once the cannula located in the target proceeds to sensory stimulus 50 Hz and Motor 2 Hz to perform a cannula repositioning in case there were no stimuli. Once obtained either motor or sensory stimulus a caudal to craneal 30° oblique projection is performed by fluoroscopy to check the location of the needle tip.Results: In 16% of patients cannot identify the four ultrasound views so the procedure is aborted. In the remaining 84% is achieved by placing the needle into the target point at 100% of the cases on the first attempt or by once a repositioning of the needle.Conclusion: Ultrasound oblique parasagittal view allows us a tangential approach to the lumbar medial branch with a high rate of success to position the radiofrequency cannula similar to when using fluoroscopy. The sonographic identification of the four windows described in the study allows us to screening tributary patient for ultrasound medial branch blocks. RESUMENObjetivos: el método de abordaje ecográfico más utilizado para el bloqueo del ramo medial del nervio raquídeo posterior (RmNRp) requiere de la utilización de una técnica ecográfica biplanar con punción guiada en plano en ventana transversal, para situar la cánula perpendicular al RmNRp, limitando la realización de radiofrecuencia.La utilización de una ventana ecográfica parasagital oblicua permite el acceso al RmNRp permitiendo situar la cánula de forma paralela al nervio, logrando estímulos sensitivos y motores, y posibilitando la realización de radiofrecuencia térmica para segmentos lumbares por encima de L5.En el presente estudio valoramos la eficacia de este nuevo abordaje ecográfico mediante la comprobación fluoroscópica de la situación de la cánula y la comprobaci...

Objective: To confirm the safety and efficacy of outpatient management of laparoscopic appendectomy, with an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, in adult patients with uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Summary Background Data: Outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy is feasible and secure in selected patients in observational studies. The benefits include reduced length of stay (LOS) and post-operative complications. This is the first Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of outpatient management following ERAS protocol. Methods: Patients admitted from the emergency department with acute appendicitis randomized into one of two groups. Standard care within the hospital (HG) or the outpatient group (OG). An ERAS protocol was followed for both groups. Patients in the HG were admitted to the surgical ward. Patients in the OG were referred to the day-surgery unit. The primary endpoint was length of stay. Results: Ninety-seven patients were included, 49 in the OG and 48 in the HG. LOS was significantly shorter in the OG (mean 8.82h) than the HG (mean 43.53h), p<0.001. There was no difference in readmission rates (p = 0.320), we observed only one readmission in the OG. No further emergency consultations or complications were observed. The cost saving was $516.52/patient as a result of the intervention. Conclusion: Outpatient management of appendectomy is safe and feasible procedure in selected patients. This approach could become the standard of care for patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, showing fewer complications, lower LOS and cost. Trial registration: Clinical Trial ID: NCT05401188 Keywords: Appendicitis, Acute Appendicitis, uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis, outpatient management, laparoscopic appendectomy, ERAS protocol