These studies showed reductions in duration of inpatient stays in the ERAS groups compared with more traditional care as well as reductions in morbidity and mortality rates .
Review ing the data reveals that ERAS protocol s have a role in reducing post-operative morbidity and result in an accelerated recovery following colorectal surgery .
Similarly , both primary and overall hospital stays are reduced significantly .
However , the available evidence suggests that ERAS protocol s do not reduce hospital readmissions or mortality .
INTRODUCTION Colorectal surgery has been associated with a complication rate of 15 - 20 % and mean post-operative inpatient stays of 6 - 11 days .
The principles of enhanced recovery after surgery ( ERAS ) are well established and have been developed to optimise peri-operative care and facilitate discharge .
The purpose of this systematic review is to present an up date d review of peri-operative care in colorectal surgery from the available evidence and ERAS group recommendations .
A clinical pathway to accelerate recovery after colonic resection.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the feasibility of a 48-hour postoperative stay program after colonic resection . SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Postoperative hospital stay after colonic resection is usually 6 to 12 days , with a complication rate of 10 % to 20 % . Limiting factors for early recovery include stress-induced organ dysfunction , paralytic ileus , pain , and fatigue . It has been hypothesized that an accelerated multimodal rehabilitation program with optimal pain relief , stress reduction with regional anesthesia , early enteral nutrition , and early mobilization may enhance recovery and reduce the complication rate . METHODS Sixty consecutive patients undergoing elective colonic resection  were prospect ively studied using a well-defined postoperative care program including continuous thoracic epidural analgesia and enforced early mobilization and enteral nutrition , and a planned 48-hour postoperative hospital stay . Postoperative follow-up was scheduled at 8 and 30 days . RESULTS Median age was 74 years , with 20 patients in ASA group III-IV . Normal gastrointestinal function ( defecation ) occurred within 48 hours in 57 patients , and the median hospital stay was 2 days , with 32 patients staying 2 days after surgery . There were no cardiopulmonary complications . The readmission rate was 15 % , including two patients with anastomotic dehiscence ( one treated conservatively , one with colostomy ) ; other readmissions required only short-term observation . CONCLUSION A multimodal rehabilitation program may significantly reduce the postoperative hospital stay in high-risk patients undergoing colonic resection . Such a program may also reduce postoperative ileus and cardiopulmonary complications . These results may have important implication s for the care of patients after colonic surgery and in the future assessment of open versus laparoscopic colonic resection
These studies showed reductions in duration of inpatient stays in the ERAS groups compared with more traditional care as well as reductions in morbidity and mortality rates .
Review ing the data reveals that ERAS protocol s have a role in reducing post-operative morbidity and result in an accelerated recovery following colorectal surgery .
Similarly , both primary and overall hospital stays are reduced significantly .
However , the available evidence suggests that ERAS protocol s do not reduce hospital readmissions or mortality .
INTRODUCTION Colorectal surgery has been associated with a complication rate of 15 - 20 % and mean post-operative inpatient stays of 6 - 11 days .
The principles of enhanced recovery after surgery ( ERAS ) are well established and have been developed to optimise peri-operative care and facilitate discharge .
The purpose of this systematic review is to present an up date d review of peri-operative care in colorectal surgery from the available evidence and ERAS group recommendations .