Evaluating the Impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols on Postoperative Morbidity and Hospital Stay

Abstract

Background: Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols are the scientifically-supported perioperative guidelines aimed at optimizing the recovery, minimizing the complications, as well as the hospitalization. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of ERAS measures on postoperative outcome, such as complications, hospital stay, pain management, and functional recovery, in comparison to the traditional methods of perioperative care.

Methods: This prospective cohort study (September 2023 to February 2024) included 140 adult patients undergoing general surgical practice was recruited with 70 of the population treated according to an ERAS protocol and 70 treated according to conventional care. Demographic and clinical baseline data were taken. Postoperative complications, hospital stay, and pain scores, ambulation time, postoperative site infections, and postoperative nausea and vomiting, as well as 30-day readmission, were recorded. T-tests were used to analyze the continuous variables and chi-square to test the categorical variables, p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The 13 (18%) patients in the ERAS group had much fewer postoperative problems (p=0.012) and shorter hospitalization (3.8 ±1.2) compared to the Standard Care group (6.2 ±1.5). The pain scores at 24 and 48 hours were lower, and the ambulation was earlier in the ERAS group (p<0.001). Postoperative nausea/vomiting and 30-day readmission rates were also equal, and surgical site infections (SSI) were less frequent as 4(5.7%, p=0.04).

Conclusion: ERAS protocols are effective in general surgical patients by decreasing complications, length of stay, pain management, and mobilization in both general and surgical patients.