The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) are dedicated to ensuring high-quality innovative patient care for surgical patients by advancing the science, prevention, and management of disorders and diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus as well as minimally invasive surgery. The ASCRS and SAGES society members involved in the creation of these guidelines were chosen because they have demonstrated expertise in the specialty of colon and rectal surgery and enhanced recovery. This consensus document was created to lead international efforts in defining quality care for conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus and develop clinical practice guidelines based on the best available evidence. While not proscriptive, these guidelines provide information on which decisions can be made and do not dictate a specific form of treatment. These guidelines are intended for the use of all practitioners, healthcare workers, and patients who desire information about the management of the conditions addressed by the topics covered in these guidelines. These guidelines should not be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of methods of care reasonably directed toward obtaining the same results. The ultimate judgment regarding the propriety of any specific procedure must be made by the physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. This clinical practice guideline represents a collaborative effort between the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and was approved by both societies.
Keywords Enhanced recovery • Colorectal surgery • ERAS
Statement of the problemColorectal surgery has historically been associated with long postoperative hospital stays, high costs, and surgical site infection rates approaching 20% [1, 2]. In addition, the incidence of in-hospital perioperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) may be as high as 80% [3] and readmission rates are as high as 35% [4]. Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) are a set of standardized perioperative processes, the content of which may vary significantly, that are applied to patients undergoing elective surgery. In general, these protocols are not intended for non-elective cases, but components of ERPs could certainly be applied to the emergent/urgent patient [5, 6]. Also known as "fast track" or "enhanced recovery after surgery" (ERAS) protocols, enhanced recovery protocols This publication was approved by both the ASCRS and SAGES executive council and then peer reviewed by the Diseases of the Colon & Rectum and Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques. The articles are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling differences in keeping with each journal's style. Either citation can be used when citing this article. In order to encourage its wide dissemination this article is freely accessible on Surgical Endoscopy And Other In...