• Kyoko Tagawa, Dai Shida, Hidemasa Takahashi, and Takeo Suzuki.
• Department of Anesthesiology, Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital, Tokyo 130-8575.
• Masui. 2012 Apr 1;61(4):373-8.

BackgroundEnhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to improve patient care, reducing complication rates, and shortening hospital stay following colorectal surgery in Europe. In cooperation with colorectal surgeons, ERAS protocols were initially introduced in our hospital to the patients undergoing open colorectal resection in July 2010.MethodsLength of postoperative hospital stay was compared of 139 consecutive patients undergoing open colorectal resection before (n = 96) and immediately after implementing ERAS (n = 43).ResultsIn the ERAS group, length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly reduced from 12.7 +/- 7.7 to 9.3 +/- 6.2 days (P < 0.0001). Oral intake, one of important ERAS elements, both before and after surgery had dramatically changed, implying tolerance of ERAS protocol in Japan.ConclusionsWe, anesthesiologists as perioperative physicians, can improve key elements of perioperative care such as patients' counseling, perioperative analgesia and early mobilization by collaboration with surgeons and nurses, to facilitate postoperative recovery.

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