title: [Introduction of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols: reducing 3.4 days of postoperative hospital stay].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to improve patient care, reducing complication rates, and shortening hospital stay following colorectal surgery in Europe. In cooperation with colorectal surgeons, ERAS protocols were initially introduced in our hospital to the patients undergoing open colorectal resection in July 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Length of postoperative hospital stay was compared of 139 consecutive patients undergoing open colorectal resection before (n = 96) and immediately after implementing ERAS (n = 43).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the ERAS group, length of postoperative hospital stay was significantly reduced from 12.7 +/- 7.7 to 9.3 +/- 6.2 days (P < 0.0001). Oral intake, one of important ERAS elements, both before and after surgery had dramatically changed, implying tolerance of ERAS protocol in Japan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We, anesthesiologists as perioperative physicians, can improve key elements of perioperative care such as patients' counseling, perioperative analgesia and early mobilization by collaboration with surgeons and nurses, to facilitate postoperative recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital, Tokyo 130-8575.
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tagawa
authors.forename: Dai
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shida
authors.forename: Hidemasa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Takeo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003107:Colorectal Surgery / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011184:Postoperative Period