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Review
. 2024 Dec 21;16(12):e76123.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.76123. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Beyond the Operating Room: A Narrative Review of Enhanced Recovery Strategies in Colorectal Surgery

Affiliations
Review

Beyond the Operating Room: A Narrative Review of Enhanced Recovery Strategies in Colorectal Surgery

Hamed Ibrahim Hamed Albalawi et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have significantly transformed the management of patients undergoing colorectal surgery. This comprehensive review explores the key components and benefits of ERAS in colorectal procedures, focusing on preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative strategies aimed at improving patient outcomes. These strategies include preoperative patient education, multimodal analgesia, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and early mobilization. ERAS protocols reduce postoperative complications, shorten hospital stays, and enhance overall recovery, leading to better patient satisfaction and decreased healthcare costs. However, challenges such as patient adherence and managing high-risk patients remain critical areas for further research. Additionally, future research should focus on refining ERAS protocols, integrating novel technologies such as minimally invasive techniques, and evaluating long-term outcomes to further enhance the recovery process.

Keywords: accelerated recovery; colorectal surgery; enhanced recovery after surgery (eras); pain management; postoperative care; postoperative complications.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Summary of the steps of ERAS.
Image Credit: Authors ERAS: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery

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