Enhanced Recovery after Surgery in Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program is now widely applied in bariatric surgeries and other surgical procedures. The ERAS program in bariatric surgery consists of various components similar to that in colorectal surgery or other procedures. The major concept of the ERAS protocol relies on a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach to resolve various problems after surgical treatment. The key principles of the ERAS program in bariatric surgery include patient education, opioid-sparing multimodal pain management, prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting, goal-directed fluid therapy, and minimizing insulin resistance and catabolism. Several guidelines and studies, including randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews, have advocated for the ERAS program in bariatric surgery, which has consistently shown advantages in shortening hospital stay without increasing morbidity. The systematic application of the ERAS program in bariatric patients results in less pain and early recovery and should be routinely recommended.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Morbid obesity; Postoperative care.