IMPLEMENTATION OF ERAS PROTOCOL FOR CESAREAN SECTION

Acta Clin Croat. 2022 Sep;61(Suppl 2):151-154. doi: 10.20471/acc.2022.61.s2.20.

Abstract

In the past few decades, many changes have been noticed in all medical branches, especially in surgery. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a completely new approach, with the main goal to change the period of patient's recovery, making perioperative time easier and shorter. The patient's recovery is faster, better and the patient's satisfaction is bigger. Patients have an active role in their own recovery, which results in faster return to work and everyday activities. Hospital Length of Stay (LOS) is shorter and associated with concomitant financial savings. After ERAS protocol had been implemented in colorectal, abdominal surgery, urology orthopedic and oncology, and finally in obstetrics for cesarean section as well. This protocol has mostly been used in developed countries, but not in all hospitals. Creation and implementation of ERAS protocol is hard work, which includes multidisciplinary team work and especially a team leader, who coordinates the medical team, the patient and hospital management. Conclusion: Creation of an ERAS protocol is very serious and long- lasting work. It is multidisciplinary and it usually has to be individually tailored for each institution itself in coordination with the health care system and with the final implementation in the medical system.

Keywords: Obstetrics; cesarean section; fast track surgery; recovery.

MeSH terms

  • Cesarean Section / methods
  • Enhanced Recovery After Surgery*
  • Female
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Perioperative Care / methods
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Pregnancy