Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis of six high-quality studies (45,678 patients) synthesised evidence on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in gastrointestinal and cardiovascular surgeries. ERAS protocols demonstrated greater recovery benefits in urgent surgeries and patients with comorbidities, with recovery times ranging from 1–3 days for gastrointestinal to 4–9 days for cardiovascular procedures, likely attributable to emphasis on early mobilisation and nutritional support. Postoperative complications showed mixed but generally favourable effects, with substantial heterogeneity across subgroups by surgery type, patient age, and comorbidities.
Regional applicability
The findings apply broadly to United Kingdom surgical practice, as ERAS protocols are already adopted in UK National Health Service guidance for perioperative care. However, the included studies' geographic origins and healthcare system contexts are not specified in the abstract; applicability depends on whether UK-conducted trials were represented in the six studies analysed.
Key measures
Length of hospital stay (LOS), postoperative complications (odds ratios 0.65–1.02), 30-day readmissions, mortality, hazard ratios for recovery benefit in urgent surgeries (HR = 1.42) and comorbid patients (HR = 1.62), recovery times (1–3 days for gastrointestinal, 4–9 days for cardiovascular surgeries)
Outcomes reported
The study measured length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, 30-day readmissions, and mortality in patients undergoing gastrointestinal and cardiovascular surgeries with ERAS protocols. Recovery times and hazard ratios for improved outcomes were compared across surgery types and patient subgroups.
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