Morbidity after accelerated enhanced recovery protocol for colon cancer surgery

Previous studies showed that accelerated enhanced recovery programs (ERPs) with discharge 1-3 days after colorectal surgery are feasible for specific patients without compromising patients' safety. This study aimed to examine the incidence, severity, and treatment of complications after treatment according to an accelerated ERP (CHASE). This accelerated ERP consisted of adjustments in pre-, peri- and postoperative care. Patients treated according to the CHASE protocol were compared to a retrospective cohort of patients who received standard ERAS care. The primary outcome was the rate of severe complications. The overall complication rates were similar in both cohorts (CHASE 30.7% vs ERAS 31.4%, p = 0.958) as well as severe complications (CHASE 20.9% vs ERAS 21.4%, p = 0.950). Among the 113 patients with a complicated course, the readmission rate was significantly higher in the CHASE cohort (41.9% vs 21.4%, p = 0.020). LOS after readmission was longer in the CHASE cohort (p = 0.018), but the total LOS was shorter (4 versus 6 days, p = 0.001). This study demonstrates that accelerated recovery can be safe for ASA I-II patients and has the potential to become a standard of care. Moreover, the CHASE protocol proved to be beneficial in terms of total LOS for patients with complications.