EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF ENHANCED RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY PROTOCOLS ON POSTOPERATIVE RECOVERY IN GENERAL SURGICAL PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: General surgery involves several procedures; each carries its own limitations. Traditional perioperative management protocol includes prolonged fasting, delayed mobility and narcotic painkillers, hence prolonged hospital stay.

Objective: To examine the effects of ERAS protocols on the process of recovering after surgery in a group of patients undergoing general surgical procedures.

Methodology: A descriptive analysis of 75 adult elective general surgery patients was studied. Patients were recruited from General Surgery unit C Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar - Pakistan from December 1st, 2022, to November 30th, 2023. Participants were arbitrarily assigned to two groups A and B. Both groups were matched for age and gender. Patients in group A (control group) received standard perioperative treatment. Patients in group B (ERAS/study Group) received surgical care that included preoperative therapy, pain management, early mobilization and oral feeding.

Results: The study included 75 patients: 37 in the control group and 38 in the ERAS group. Male participants made up 56.8% of the control group and 60.5% of the ERAS group. The ERAS group had significantly shorter hospital stays versus control (3.2 days vs 4.8 days, p<0.001), lower bowel function recovery time (24.5 hours versus 36.5 hours, p<0.001) and significantly lower postoperative complication rate than the control group (13.2% vs 32.4%, p value <0.001).

Conclusion: ERAS method for patients undergoing elective general surgery has better post-operative recovery with decreased postoperative complications than traditional recovery management approach.