Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in colorectal surgery: implementation is still beneficial despite modern surgical and anesthetic care

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have shown beneficial outcomes in the last 20 years. Nevertheless, simultaneously implemented technical improvements such as minimally invasive access or modified anesthesia care may play a crucial role in optimizing patient outcome. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of ERAS implementation in a highly specialized colorectal center. This is a propensity score matched single-center study comparing the short-term outcomes of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in a society-indepedent ERAS program from January 2021 to August 2022 to standard perioperative care from January 2019 to December 2020. Four hundred fifty-six patients were included in the propensity score matched analysis with 228 patients per group (ERAS vs. standard care). Minimally invasive access was used in 80.2 ClinialTrials.gov number NCT05773248)