Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery program in elective colorectal surgery: a prospective cohort study

Objective To evaluate the results of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol in elective colorectal surgery compared to the historical cohort of this hospital with standard care, in terms of hospital Length Of Stay (LOS), 30 days readmissions rate and 3–5 Clavien–Dindo Complications (CDC). Methodology Data were collected from consecutive patients during 2 time periods, before (135 patients from hospital database) and after implementation of an ERAS protocol (121 with prospective follow up). Multivariate lineal or logistic regressions were used to assess the impact of ERAS program, adjusting by gender, age, laparoscopy and 3–5 CDC. Results The two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic and surgery details, with the exception of the operative approach, with increased use of laparoscopy in the ERAS group. The ERAS protocol decreased LOS (9.8 ± 3.7 vs. 11 ± 3.8, p = 0.018) without increasing 30 days readmission rate or the number of severe CDC. In a multivariate analysis, age and 3–5 CDC were independently associated with a longer LOS while male gender, ERAS protocol and laparoscopic surgery with a decreased LOS. 3–5 CDC increased readmissions (OR = 3.5, 95% CI 1.2–10.2) while laparoscopic surgery decreased them (OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1–0.8). ERAS improved compliance with secondary variables in a statistically significant way: more laparoscopic surgery; more regional analgesia in the intraoperative period; earlier adherence to ambulation; faster onset of oral liquid diet and analgesia by mouth; and lower requirements of opioids. Conclusions ERAS protocol and laparoscopic surgery decreased LOS without increasing 30 days readmission rate. Severe CDC increased LOS and readmissions.