Impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols on Postoperative Pain and Early Mobilization: A Retrospective Study
Enhanced Recovery in Abdominal Surgery
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69750/dmls.02.012.0179Keywords:
ERAS, Postoperative pain, Early mobilization, Abdominal surgery, Hospital stay, Perioperative careAbstract
Background: The significant cause of extended hospitalization and postoperative morbidity after abdominal surgery is postoperative pain and delayed mobilization. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are evidence-based, structured perioperative care systems that are aimed at minimizing surgical stress, maximizing pain management, and achieving early functional recovery. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence in practice as to their efficacy in general clinical practice.
Objective: To assess the effectiveness of ERAS protocols in reducing the intensity of postoperative pain and early mobilization in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery compared to conventional perioperative care.
Methods: This was a retrospective comparative study that was carried out between May 2024 and March 2025. Ninety adult patients who were undergoing elective abdominal surgery were recruited and randomized into two equal groups of 45 patients who were put under ERAS protocols and 45 patients who were provided with conventional perioperative care. At 24 hours postoperatively, postoperative pain was gauged by the use of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The duration of the first ambulation, time in hospital, and postoperative complications were documented. Proper statistical tests were used to analyze data, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant.
Results: Patients treated in accordance with ERAS indicated much lower VAS scores at 24 hours than the traditional care group (mean VAS: 3.2 ± 0.8 vs. 5.1 ± 1.0; p <0.001). The ERAS group attained early mobilization much earlier (15.1 3.4 hours vs. 27.2 4.8 hours; p =0.001). Hospital stay was also much lower in patients undergoing ERAS (3.5 ± 1.0 days vs. 6.0 ± 1.8 days; p <0.001). The ERAS group had a reduced incidence of postoperative complications, which were not significantly different between the groups.
Conclusion: ERAS protocols can be used to enhance postoperative pain management, early mobility, and reduce hospitalization duration with no heightened risk of postoperative complications. These results justify the wider use of ERAS pathways to improve the postoperative outcomes and the best results of perioperative care.
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