Surg J R Coll Surg E
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Surg J R Coll Surg E · Oct 2011
Enhanced recovery in major colorectal surgery: safety and efficacy in an unselected surgical population at a UK district general hospital.
Enhanced Recovery Programmes (ERPs) have been shown to benefit recovery following major surgery in selected centres and patient groups, but their wider applicability requires continued evaluation. The aims of this study were to assess the outcomes of the first 400 consecutive, non-selected patients, undergoing major elective colorectal surgery within an Enhanced Recovery programme at a UK District General hospital and to examine the effects of patient risk factors and operative approach on outcomes. ⋯ Unselected application of an ERP in our unit has been associated with reductions in post-operative LOS. The ERP was safe and effective when applied to all our study patients independent of age and BMI. Despite LOS being longer in ASA grade 3 patients, application of the ERP to this higher risk group was not associated with significantly increased morbidity or mortality. Laparoscopic surgery resulted in additional modest reductions in LOS compared to open surgery within the ERP.