Impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols on Postoperative Outcomes in Major Surgical Procedures
1Aftab Ahmad Baig, 2Marwa Aslam, 3Dr Shakeel Ahmed, 4Babar Shahzad, 5Umar Khan, 6Kamran Safdar
1Assistant Professor, General Surgery Unit 1, Akhtar Saeed Trust Hospital, Lahore
2Mayo Hospital Lahore
3Abbasi shaheed hospital.Karachi Medical and Dental college Karachi
4PIMS Islamabad
5PIMS
6UHS Lahore
ABSTRACT:
Background: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have gained widespread acceptance as a multidisciplinary approach to improving postoperative recovery and reducing complications in major surgical procedures. Despite their proven efficacy in developed settings, data from resource-limited environments remain limited.
Aim: To evaluate the impact of ERAS protocols on postoperative outcomes in major surgical procedures performed at Mayo Hospital, Lahore.
Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted from November 2023 to October 2024 at Mayo Hospital, Lahore. A total of 60 patients undergoing major surgical procedures were included. Patients were divided into two groups: those managed with ERAS protocols (n=30) and those receiving conventional postoperative care (n=30). Data were collected on postoperative pain, hospital length of stay, complication rates, and readmission rates. Outcomes were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.
Results: The implementation of ERAS protocols significantly reduced the mean hospital length of stay (4.2 days vs. 6.8 days, p<0.05) and postoperative pain scores (3.1 vs. 5.6 on a 10-point scale, p<0.05) compared to conventional care. The ERAS group also exhibited a lower incidence of complications (20% vs. 40%, p<0.05) and readmissions within 30 days (10% vs. 25%, p<0.05). Patient satisfaction scores were higher in the ERAS group, reflecting improved overall recovery experiences.
Conclusion: The ERAS protocols demonstrated substantial benefits in improving postoperative outcomes, reducing complications, and enhancing recovery in patients undergoing major surgical procedures at Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Adoption of ERAS protocols in resource-limited settings is both feasible and beneficial, warranting broader implementation.
Keywords: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, ERAS, postoperative outcomes, major surgical procedures, hospital length of stay, complications, patient satisfaction, resource-limited settings.