INTRODUCTION Colorectal surgery has been associated with a complication rate of 15-20% and mean postoperative inpatient stays of 6-11 days. The principles of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) are well established and have been developed to optimise perioperative care and facilitate discharge. The purpose of this systematic review is to present an updated review of perioperative care in colorectal surgery from the available evidence and ERAS group recommendations. METHODS Systematic searches of the PubMed and Embase ™ databases and the Cochrane library were conducted. A hand search of bibliographies of identified studies was conducted to identify any additional articles missed by the initial search strategy. RESULTS A total of 59 relevant studies were identified. These included six randomised controlled trials and seven clinical controlled trials that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These studies showed reductions in duration of inpatient stays in the ERAS groups compared with more traditional care as well as reductions in morbidity and mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS Reviewing the data reveals that ERAS protocols have a role in reducing postoperative morbidity and result in an accelerated recovery following colorectal surgery. Similarly, both primary and overall hospital stays are reduced significantly. However, the available evidence suggests that ERAS protocols do not reduce hospital readmissions or mortality. These findings help to confirm that ERAS protocols should now be implemented as the standard approach for perioperative care in colorectal surgery.

Epidural anaesthesia appears to not reduce length of hospital stay or incidence of PONV despite reducing pain intensity and ileus. NSAIDs are more effective than paracetamol in reducing postoperative opioid consumption and PONV, while dexamethasone and 5-HT3 antagonists are both effective in reducing PONV.

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