2016 Scientific Session of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 16-19 March 2016 : Poster Presentations

Objectives: To determine the impact on postoperative recovery and cost-effectiveness of a standardized enhanced recovery program (ERP) for colorectal surgery. Methods: A prospective series of patients (N = 76) undergoing elective colorectal resection completing a standardized ERP in 2013–2015 (ERP group) was compared to patients (N = 74) operated on at the same academic hospital in 2010–2011 (conventional group), before the introduction of the ERP methodology. The exclusion criteria for both groups were: age[80 years old, ASA score IV, TNM stage IV, and inflammatory bowel disease. Functional recovery time, morbidity and mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and readmission rate in-between groups were compared. Direct costs related to the preoperative phase and hospitalization, and implementation of the ERP were collected. Results: Age, gender, and BMI were comparable in-between groups. Outcome variables and institutional costs are shown in the table. After adjusting for potential confounders, following a conventional perioperative protocol was the only factor associated to prolonged hospital LOS (P\0.001). Conclusion: Implementing an ERP in elective colorectal surgery: 1) significantly reduced time to functional recovery and postoperative hospital LOS; 2) did not increase morbidity, mortality, and 30-day readmissions; and 3) significantly decreased institutional costs.