Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) versus conventional postoperative care in patients undergoing abdominal...

In the present study, we aimed to compare the postoperative compliance and complications between ERAS and conventional postoperative care in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomies.

This is the prospective, randomized, controlled trial, which involved 62 patients, who underwent abdominal hysterectomy between December 2016 to February 2017. A total of 30 patients formed the ERAS group. A total of 32 patients who received conventional perioperative care and matched for age, body mass index (BMI) and American Society of Anesthesiologists score were assigned as a control group. Groups were compared in terms of patient characteristics [age, body mass index, ASA Score, parity, diagnosis, type of surgery, and perioperative intravenous fluids], postoperative compliance (postoperative intravenous fluids, time to first flatus, first defecation, ambulation, eating solid food, and postoperative hospital stay), and postoperative complications.

Peri- and post-operative administrated intravenous fluids were significantly lower in the ERAS group (p < 0.001 for both). Time to first flatus (p = 0.001), time to first defecation (p < 0.001), and time to eating solid food (p < 0.001) were all significantly shorter in the ERAS group. Post-operative early mobilization on the first postoperative day was achieved in eight (26.7%) patients in the ERAS group. There were no significant differences in complications. One (3.3%) patient in the ERAS Group and 11 (34.4%) patients in the Conventional Group required hospital readmission after discharge (p = 0.002).

The ERAS protocol seems to be a simple tool for reducing the incidence of postoperative complications and shortening hospitalization.