A study on enhanced recovery after abdominal surgery
Background Enhanced recovery after surgery or fast-track surgery is a set of protocols aimed to reduce the physiological burden of surgery, thus improving outcomes. Fast-track surgery aims to use evidence-based practice to reduce complications, improve postoperative quality of life, and decrease hospital length of stay. Aims The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of applying enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols on patients undergoing different abdominal operations. Settings and design The study was a prospective observational study that was conducted on 25 patients of ASA grades I-III, aged between 15 and 65 years, with different abdominal pathologies who were to undergo elective operations between August 2013 and May 2014. Materials and methods Patients were subjected to ERAS protocols. All patients were monitored in the hospital as needed until the patient fulfilled the discharge criteria (adequate oral intake; pain well controlled with oral analgesics; ability to void without difficulty; able to ambulate independently or at baseline levels; the patient believing he is ready for discharge and able to look after himself at home). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were expressed as mean ± SD unless otherwise stated. Results The ERAS program has been proven to be safe, not only in reducing postoperative hospital stay and morbidity but also in improving patient convalescence. Conclusion The ERAS program had a significant role in reducing the duration of hospital stay as well as morbidity in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.