The RAPID protocol enhances patient recovery after both laparoscopic and open colorectal resections

Area of Science:

• Colorectal Surgery
• Surgical Recovery Protocols
• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)

Background:

• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs aim to accelerate patient recovery and reduce hospital stays post-colorectal resection.
• The RAPID (remove, ambulate, postoperative analgesia, introduce diet) protocol is a simplified, single-page ERAS program designed for ease of use.
• This study evaluated the RAPID protocol's effectiveness in specialized colorectal units for both laparoscopic and open resections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of the RAPID protocol on patient recovery after colorectal surgery.
• To compare outcomes between patients managed with the RAPID protocol and those receiving traditional care.
• To determine if the RAPID protocol is effective for both laparoscopic and open colorectal resections.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, two-center study involving 117 age-matched patients.
• Patients underwent either open or laparoscopic colorectal resection.
• Comparison of postoperative outcomes between patients using the RAPID protocol and those under traditional care.

Main Results:

• Patients undergoing laparoscopic resections with the RAPID protocol showed a significantly shorter hospital stay (p=0.01) and earlier full diet tolerance (p=0.002).
• Patients undergoing open resections with the RAPID protocol also experienced a significantly shorter hospital stay (p=0.04).
• The RAPID protocol demonstrated positive outcomes in both laparoscopic and open colorectal surgery settings.

Conclusions:

• The RAPID protocol is an effective and user-friendly tool for enhancing colorectal surgery recovery.
• It facilitates earlier diet introduction and hospital discharge for patients.
• The protocol's simplicity and effectiveness make it a valuable addition to ERAS programs for colorectal resections.