Enhanced recovery pathways have been increasingly adopted into surgical specialties with the aim of reducing the stress response and improving the metabolic response to surgical insult. Enhanced recovery pathways encompass a large range of perioperative elements that together aim to restore a patient's gut function, mobility, function and well-being to preoperative levels as soon as feasible after major surgery. There is increasing evidence that rapid recovery and return to normal function reduces complications. This may not just have a benefit by reducing morbidity and mortality but also have an effect on long-term survival. There also may be additional benefits for patients with cancer.
Keywords: Anesthesia; Enhanced recovery pathway; Fast-track surgery; Metabolic response to surgery; Minimally invasive surgery; Pathophysiology of surgery; Perioperative care; Stress response to surgery.
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