Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in stoma reversals

Objective: To compare the length of hospital stay and return of bowel movement using the conventional management versus 'enhanced recovery after surgery' protocol. Methods: This study was conducted at the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from June 2014 to May 2015, and comprised patients undergoing stoma reversal. Patients were randomly allocated in two equal groups, i.e. A (treated with conventional peri-operative management) and B (with 'enhanced recovery after surgery' protocol). Prolonged ileus, wound infection and length of hospital stay between the two groups were compared. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis. Results: There were 60 participants who were divided into two groups of 30(50%) each. Overall, 39(65%) patients were males and 21(35%) were females. The mean age was 27.80 +/- 9.99 years in group A and 23.87 +/- 4.56 years in group B. Besides, 25(83%) patients in group A had prolonged ileus compared to 3(10.7%) in group B (p=0.00). Moreover, 14(46.7%) patients in group A and 8(26.7%) patients in group B had wound infection (p=0.10). The mean duration of hospital stay was also less in group B compared to group A (p<0.05). Conclusion: The application of 'enhanced recovery after surgery' protocol was found to be safe.