Correlation between compliance of enhanced recovery program protocol and efficacy of perioperative care in patients with colon cancer

Abstract

Objective : to assess ERP implementation results in patients with colon cancer and to reveal correlation between compliance of ERP protocol and efficacy of perioperative care. Materials and methods . 124 patients were included in the study. Main group consisted of 62 patients with ERP, others were controls. ERP compliance was assessed using original formula which considers number of accomplished elements of the Protocol and quality of performance of each element. Results . No significant difference between the groups in morbidity was obtained (1.6 % in main group vs 9.8 % controls; р = 0.06). Minor dependence in self-care was obtained in 90.5 % at third post-op day in main group vs 58.0 % in controls (p < 0.0001). Postoperative hospital stay was lower in main group (4.7 ± 0.1 vs 9.0 ± 0.6 days; p < 0.0001). Total hospital stay was lower in main group as well (7.2 ± 0.1 vs 14.1 ± 0.7 days; р < 0.0001). No mortality and readmissions occurred. ERP compliance rate was 80.0 % (56.9–93.3 %). Рostoperative hospital stay in patients with high protocol compliance (≥ 80 %) was significantly shorter then in patients with low protocol compliance (< 80 %): 4.3 ± 0.2 vs 5.1 ± 0.2; р = 0,005). Conclusion. ERP is effective and safe method of postoperative care in patients after colon resection and the effectiveness of the treatment correlates with protocol compliance rate resulted in shorter hospital stay.