Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols in Craniofacial Surgery

Area of Science:

• Surgical protocols and patient recovery.
• Multidisciplinary healthcare approaches.

Background:

• Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols are patient-centered pathways designed to minimize surgical stress and accelerate postoperative recovery.
• ERAS has demonstrated significant benefits in general surgery, improving the overall patient experience.
• These protocols encompass three key phases: preadmission optimization, intraoperative management, and postoperative care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing evidence for the application and development of ERAS protocols specifically within craniomaxillofacial surgery.
• To outline evidence-based recommendations for implementing enhanced recovery strategies in this surgical subspecialty.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating ERAS protocols in craniomaxillofacial surgery.
• Synthesis of findings to identify effective ERAS components for this patient population.

Main Results:

• Evidence for ERAS development in craniomaxillofacial surgery is emerging.
• Prior studies provide recommendations for optimizing preadmission, intraoperative, and postoperative care within ERAS frameworks.

Conclusions:

• ERAS protocols hold significant potential for improving patient recovery in craniomaxillofacial surgery.
• Further research and implementation of evidence-based recommendations are crucial for widespread adoption.