Enhanced recovery after surgery versus conventional care in colonic and rectal surgery

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes have been shown to improve outcomes after colonic surgery. However, there is less evidence supporting ERAS in rectal surgery. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of conventional perioperative care with those of an ERAS pathway including both colonic and rectal surgery patients.

Outcomes of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery at Christchurch Hospital within the ERAS pathway were compared with patients receiving conventional perioperative care over a 2-year period. A retrospective analysis was conducted, including primary and total length of stay (LOS), readmission, complication and mortality rate.

A total of 240 patients undergoing colorectal surgery were included; 160 patients received conventional perioperative care and 80 patients were managed within the ERAS pathway. Primary and total LOS were shorter in the ERAS group (6 versus 7 days, P = 0.0004, 7 versus 10 days, P = 0.0003, respectively). Re-admission and complication rates were not significantly different between the groups. There was one death (in the conventional care group) within 30 days. Patients undergoing rectal surgery within the ERAS pathway did not show any difference in primary LOS, readmission or complication rate although median total LOS was significantly reduced (7 versus 10 days, P = 0.0457).

Patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery managed within the ERAS pathway had shorter hospital stays without increased morbidity or mortality. Differences were less pronounced in the rectal surgery subgroup and further research is needed to investigate the use of ERAS pathways for patients undergoing elective rectal surgery.