Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)

Enhanced recovery is an evidence-based approach that helps people recover more quickly after having major surgery.

Few hospitals have enhanced recovery programmes in place, and it’s now seen as standard practice following surgery for many procedures.

Enhanced recovery is sometimes referred to as Fast track, rapid or accelerated recovery. It aims to ensure that patients:

  • Are as healthy as possible before receiving treatment.
  • Receive the best possible care during their operation.
  • Receive the best possible care while recovering.

Having an operation can be both physically and emotionally stressful. Enhanced recovery programmes try to get you back to full health as quickly as possible.

Research has shown that the earlier a person gets out of bed and starts walking, eating and drinking after having an operation, the shorter their recovery time will be.

Who can benefit from enhanced recovery?

Some of the principles of enhanced recovery can be applied to all cases of surgery. However, for some conditions and procedures, specially designed pathways help patients benefit from the principles more effectively.

Types of surgery and conditions where enhanced recovery programmes are currently used in orthopaedics include:

  • Knee Replacement
  • Hip Replacement
  • Arthroscopic Ligament surgeries
  • Cancer surgeries
  • Fractures
  • Few revision Hip/Knee replacement surgeries

The Enhanced Recovery Programme

If you need to have an operation, ask your Specialist if he offers Enhanced Recovery After Surgery.

To enhance your recovery from surgery, it’s important that you play an active role in your own care.

Important points to consider before your operation include:

  • Eating well – Your body will need energy for repair.
  • Exercise – Being physically active before your operation will help you recover quicker.
  • Relaxation – Try to relax and not worry about your operation.
  • Smoking and alcohol – Giving up or cutting down will help speed up your recovery and reduce your risk of developing complications.

My team will give you advice about getting into the best possible shape before having surgery. They’ll also identify and try to stabilise any health conditions you have that may affect the operation.

In hospital, my team will advise you about what you can do to help make your recovery easier.

This may include:

  • Staying active – You may even be walked to the operating theatre.
  • Drinking clear fluids or sugar rich drinks up to 2 hours before your operation
  • Becoming as active as soon as possible after your surgery
  • Eating a healthy diet after your surgery
  • Keeping an enhanced recovery diary to track your progress.

Where possible, techniques that will help with your recovery may also be recommended, such as using minimally invasive surgery (keyhole surgery), local or regional anaesthesia, and minimal use of drains and nasogastric tubes.

After surgery, you’ll mobilised with physiotherapy on the same day. This will help speed up your recovery and enable you to be discharged from hospital as soon as possible.

Depending on your operation, you may be able to go home sooner than usually expected. It’s therefore important to plan and prepare for your return home before going into hospital.

What are Benefits of ERAS?

  • Speedy recovery
  • Minimal Pain
  • Early mobilization
  • Early discharge to home
  • No need to starve long hours before and after surgery.
  • Short duration of Hospital stay
  • Minimal stress and anxiety of surgery