Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: Is It Time to Change Our Strategy Regarding Laparoscopic Colectomy?

In Vivo. 2019 May-Jun;33(3):669-674. doi: 10.21873/invivo.11525.

Abstract

Enhanced recovery after surgery or 'fast-track' methods are evidence-based protocols designed to standardize post-operative medical care, improve patient outcomes, promote early recovery, and reduce healthcare expenditure. Fast-track surgery is a multifunctional concept involving pre-, peri- and post-operative measures aiming to reduce the length of hospital stay and morbidity and complication rates, following elective abdominal surgery. Through the optimization of peri-operative care and the recovery process in adherence to these fast-track protocols, improved outcomes are reached, surgical trauma and post-operative stress are reduced, with less surgical pain, reduced complications, and shorter length of hospital stay. Fast-track care requires a multidisciplinary collaboration of all healthcare professionals, as well as a high rate of protocol compliance and a good organizational structure. Despite the existing evidence of the benefits of fast-track protocols in a variety of surgical procedures and the similar outcomes of laparoscopic colonic surgery compared to open surgery, clear evidence of the benefits of fast-track care after laparoscopic colonic surgery is yet to be clearly demonstrated.

Keywords: ERAS; Enhanced; colon; fast-track; laparoscopic; recovery; review; surgery.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Colectomy / adverse effects
  • Colectomy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy / adverse effects
  • Laparoscopy / methods
  • Male
  • Patient Outcome Assessment
  • Postoperative Care* / methods
  • Postoperative Care* / standards
  • Recovery of Function*
  • Time Factors