Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery as a Protocol Versus Routine Care on Women Undergoing Hysterectomy.

Abstract

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are combination of multimodal evidence-based strategies applied to the conventional perioperative techniques to reduce postoperative complications and achieve early recovery. Aim: This study aimed to implement the ERAS protocol versus routine hospital care on women undergoing hysterectomy & assess the effect of this protocol on women recovery. Subjects and Methods: Randomized controlled study design was used to achieve the objectives of this study. Setting: The study was conducted at the gynecological unit at Women’s Health Hospital, Assiut University Sample: A simple random sample was used to collect data of this study .The study sample included 140 women undergoing hysterectomy divided into two groups (70 women in each group) the ERAS group received ERAS protocol and control group received routine hospital care .Results: The results show a highly statistically significant difference between ERAS group and routine care in terms of length of hospital stay, return to general activity, return to sexual activity, time of changed dressing at home, whereas complications, patient re-admission and patient re-exploration showed no statistical significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: The implementation of ERAS protocol for abdominal hysterectomy reduced length of stay without increasing complications or readmissions. Recommendation: The study recommended that the ERAS protocol should become the standard practice for all women undergoing elective gynecologic surgeries.