Early Outcome of Enhanced Recovery Programs Versus Conventional Perioperative Care in Elective Open Left Side Colonic Carcinoma Surgery: Analysis of 80 Cases

According to recent clinical practice guidelines, enhanced recovery programs (ERP) have been practiced to improve surgical outcomes and decrease cost. However, these are still opposed by the traditional measures in the treatment of colorectal carcinoma that is still practiced with the concept of protection of anastomosis and decrease postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to report our experience in ERP in elective open left side colonic carcinoma surgery in comparison with the conventional perioperative care. The current prospective multicenter randomized controlled study included a total of 80 adult patients with left side colonic cancer who were eligible for elective colonic resection. Included patients were randomly divided into two equal groups: group (A) where conventional perioperative care was performed and group (B) where ERP were applied. Follow-up was designed for at least 1 month to evaluate and compare hospital stay and postoperative complications. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards demographic data and preoperative comorbidities. There were statistically significant less pain (P = 0.24), less postoperative nausea and vomiting (P = 0.045), and less hospital stay (P < 0.001) in group B than group A. Otherwise, there was no statistically significant difference in comparing the rest of postoperative surgical or non-surgical complications or rates of readmissions between the two groups. ERP are safe, reliable, simple, and applicable in open left side cancer colon surgery with no negative impact over the postoperative complications in comparison with the conventional care.