Enhanced recovery after surgery in emergency colorectal surgery: Review of literature and current practices

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), a multidisciplinary program designed to minimize stress response to surgery and promote the recovery of organ function, has become a standard of perioperative care for elective colorectal surgery. In an elective setting, ERAS program has consistently been shown to decrease postoperative complication, reduce length of hospital stay, shorten convalescence, and lower healthcare cost. Recently, there is emerging evidence that ERAS program can be safely and effectively applied to patients with emergency colorectal conditions such as acute colonic obstruction and intraabdominal infection. This review comprehensively covers the concept and application of ERAS program for emergency colorectal surgery. The outcomes of ERAS program for this emergency surgery are summarized as follows: (1) The ERAS program was associated with a lower rate of overall complication and shorter length of hospital stay – without increased risks of readmission, reoperation and death after emergency colorectal surgery; and (2) Compliance with an ERAS program in emergency setting appeared to be lower than that in an elective basis. Moreover, scientific evidence of each ERAS item used in emergency colorectal operation is shown. Perspectives of ERAS pathway in emergency colorectal surgery are addressed. Finally, evidence-based ERAS protocol for emergency colorectal surgery is presented.