Abstract

Introduction: ERAS is an enhanced recovery after surgery which is also known as ‘Fast track surgery’. ERAS protocol are multimodal perioperative care protocols encompassing the number of modifications to existing practices by application of evidenced based medicine, all aimed at reducing the physiological and psychological insult to the patient and therefore improving their care. All these leads to early return of bowel function, improvement in cardiopulmonary function, reduce complication, early mobilization, decreases the hospital stay and early return of daily routine activities. Aim: The aim was to study the feasibility and efficacy of implementing ERAS versus conventional protocol tailored for Urological surgeries coming for elective surgeries under regional anaesthesia. Material and methods: In this prospective randomized interventional comparative study, 50 patients were divided into group E (ERAS) and group N (Non-ERAS) and compared the efficacy and feasibility of ERAS protocol with conventional methods like effects of preoperative counselling, fasting, carbohydrate loading, warm intravenous fluids, early resumption of enteral feeding postoperative and early removal of urinary catheter. Results: We found that patients in group E had significantly less time of starting of ambulation and achievement of PADSS score of 9 with less complication. We also found that postoperative VAS score for pain assessment was significantly low in group E as compared to group N and patients in group E were more satisfied at the time of discharge from the hospital compared to group N. Conclusion: ERAS protocol found to be feasible and efficacious in urological surgeries under regional anaesthesia as it leads to early recovery and shortened postoperative stay with better patient satisfaction. It should be implemented in all urological surgeries for better outcome. For the enhanced recovery programme to be effective, it needs active participation of patient, surgeon, anaesthesiologist and nursing staff.