Enhanced Recovery After Surgery

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal perioperative care pathway designed to achieve early recovery for patients undergoing major surgical procedures. Meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and large prospective cohort studies were reviewed. Each item of the perioperative treatment pathway in the English language was examined and reviewed. Enhanced recovery after surgery items that were the strongest predictors for a shorter hospital stay and lower morbidity were absence of a nasogastric tube, early mobilization, early oral nutrition, early removal of the epidural, early removal of the urinary catheter, and utilization of nonopioid analgesia. Based on evidence available for each element of the perioperative care pathway, ERAS provides a protocol for perioperative care. This protocol allows for further evidence-based studies that are adequately powered between institutions.