Role of Enhanced Recovery Program for Colorectal Cancer Patients: National Cancer Institute Experience

Enhanced recovery program (ERP) was introduced in patients scheduled for colorectal surgical procedures to enhance gastrointestinal recovery and shorten their hospital stay. This study aims to evaluate the role of ERP in colorectal cancer patients. A prospective cohort study performed at National Cancer Institute—Cairo University including 50 patients with colorectal cancer treated between October 2016 and May 2017. They were divided in 2 equal groups: study group (ERP group) and control group (conventional protocol group). Incidence of postoperative morbidity was greater in the control group compared to the study group. Only the incidence of paralytic ileus was greater in the study group. The study group had a statistically significant hospital stay length compared to the control group. ERP was associated with lower incidence of postoperative morbidity excluding incidence of paralytic ileus; also, it was associated with a shorter hospital stay.