Abstract
[Purpose] To evaluate our enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol based on data collected during the treatment of 25 patients who underwent an elective colorectal resection at our institute. [Method] The 7 components of our ERAS protocol are as follows. 1. Pre-operative: pre-operative written assessment; 2. Day prior to surgery: no mechanical bowel preparation; 3. Pain control: epidural analgesia until POD2, local anesthetics around the surgical wound closure, and oral NSAIDs from POD1; 4. Surgery: laparoscopic colectomy with no surgical drains; 5. Fluid and food: free fluid from POD1, liquid diet from POD1, and normal diet from POD2; 6. Mobilization: oral prokinetics from POD1 and walking around the ward from POD1; and 7. Assessment for discharge on POD3. [Results] The patients' mean dietary intake on POD1 was 50% (0-100%), and on POD3 it was 90% (10-100%). The mean walking distance on POD1 was 300 m (33-770m) and on POD3 it was 600 m (300-3,630m). Patients' first bowel movement occurred at a mean of 31 h (12-53h) after surgery. The postoperative complication rate was 4%. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (4-17 days). There were no readmissions due to postoperative complications. [Conclusion] Our ERAS protocol accelerates postoperative recovery without compromising patient safety.
