A prospective study on the influence of a fast-track program on postoperative fatigue and functional recovery after...

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have demonstrated significant reduction in hospital stay for patients undergoing colonic surgery; however, their impact on long-term outcomes, such as postoperative fatigue (POF), has not been fully established.

To assess the impact of an ERAS program on POF and recovery following elective open colonic surgery.

In a prospective study, 26 consecutive patients undergoing open colonic surgery under a conventional care plan were compared with 26 consecutive patients in an ERAS program.

Demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable at baseline. The median duration of total hospital stay (4 versus 7 d, P < 0.001), rates of urinary tract infections (P = 0.028) and ileus (P = 0.042) were significantly smaller in the ERAS group. Postoperatively, POF significantly increased in both groups. However, peak POF score was significantly lower in the ERAS group (P = 0.001). In the first 30 d after surgery, Fatigue Consequence scores were also significantly smaller in the ERAS group. Overall, the total fatigue experience (P = 0.035) and the total fatigue impact (P = 0.005) were significantly smaller in the ERAS group.

The impact of ERAS programs may extend beyond the commonly reported short-term outcomes, and ERAS may accelerate overall recovery and return to normal function.