American Journal of Oral Medicine and Radiology

OPTIMIZING OUTCOMES IN EMERGENCY ABDOMINAL SURGERY USING ERAS PROTOCOLS: A COHORT STUDY

Dr. Vinaya Kumar

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), Emergency Abdominal Surgery, Postoperative Outcomes, Minimally Invasive Surgery

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have been widely implemented in elective colorectal surgeries, significantly improving patient outcomes. However, their application in emergency abdominal surgeries remains limited, with inconsistent adherence and variable effectiveness. This study evaluates the feasibility, compliance, and impact of ERAS protocols in emergency gastrointestinal surgical cases. Methods: A total of 80 patients who underwent emergency abdominal surgery The ERAS protocols were implemented and monitored, with data collected through structured ERAS forms. Postoperative complications were classified using the Clavien-Dindo classification system, and statistical analyses, including ordinal and hierarchical regression models, were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 28. Results: The overall morbidity rate was 30.0%, while the 30-day mortality rate was 3.1%. Key recovery milestones, such as early nasogastric tube removal, mobilization, oral nutrition initiation, and urinary catheter removal, demonstrated a gradual improvement over seven postoperative days (PODs). Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) was utilized in 40% of cases, with a success rate of two-thirds for laparoscopic procedures. Excessive fluid administration was significantly associated with delayed mobilization and prolonged recovery times (p < 0.001), while preoperative hyperglycemia was identified as a predictor of increased morbidity and mortality (p = 0.002). Conclusion: This study supports the broader adoption of ERAS protocols in emergency abdominal surgery, demonstrating their potential to reduce complications, improve recovery times, and minimize hospital stays. However, challenges remain, particularly in adherence to fluid management, glucose control, and laparoscopic utilization in emergency settings. Future strategies should focus on enhancing compliance, refining postoperative care strategies, and expanding minimally invasive surgical approaches in urgent surgical scenarios