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 .
Is mechanical bowel preparation mandatory for elective colon surgery? A prospective randomized study.
BACKGROUND Bowel preparation prior to colonic surgery usually includes antibiotic therapy together with mechanical bowel preparation ( MBP ) . Mechanical bowel preparation may cause discomfort to the patient , prolonged hospitalization , and water and electrolyte imbalance . It was assumed that with the improvement in surgical technique together with the use of more effective prophylactic antibiotics , it was possible that MBP would no longer be necessary . HYPOTHESIS There is no statistical difference in the postoperative results of patients who undergo elective colon resection with MBP  as compared with those who have no MBP . DESIGN AND PATIENTS The study includes all patients who had elective large bowel resection at Campus Golda between April 1 , 1999 , and March 31 , 2002 . Emergency operations were not included . The patients were r and omly assigned to the 2 study groups ( with or without MBP ) according to identification numbers . All patients were treated with intravenous and oral antibiotics prior to surgery . The patients in the MBP group received Soffodex for bowel preparation . RESULTS A total of 329 patients participated in the study , 165 without MBP and 164 with MBP . The 2 groups were similar in age , sex , and type of surgical procedure . Two hundred sixty-eight patients ( 81.5 % ) underwent surgery owing to colorectal cancer and 61 patients ( 18.5 % ) owing to benign disease . The hospitalization period was longer in the bowel-prepared group ( mean + /- SD , 8.2 + /- 5.1 days ) as compared with the nonprepared group ( mean + /- SD , 8.0 + /- 2.7 days ) . However , this difference was not statistically significant . The time until the first bowel movement was similar between the 2 groups : a mean + /- SD of 4.2 + /- 1.3 days in the nonprepared group as compared with a mean + /- SD of 4.3 + /- 1.1 days in the prepared group ( P = NS ) . Four patients ( 1.2 % ) died in the postoperative course owing to acute myocardial infa rct ion and pulmonary embolism . Sixty-two patients ( 37.6 % ) of the non-MBP group suffered from postoperative complications as compared with 77 patients ( 46.9 % ) of the MBP group . CONCLUSION Our results suggest that no advantage is gained by preoperative MBP in elective colorectal surgery
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 .