Enhanced recovery after surgery: Current research insights and future direction

Table 1 An example of a generic enhanced recovery after surgery protocol

Pre-operative	Intra-operative	Post-operative
Pre-admission counselling	Short acting anaesthetic agents	Mid-thoracic epidural anaesthesia
Fluid and carbohydrate loading	Mid thoracic epidural anaesthesia	No Nasogastric tubes
No prolonged fasting	No drains	Prevention of nausea and vomiting
No/selective bowel preparation	Avoidance of salt and water overload	Avoidance of salt and water overload
Antibiotic prophylaxis	Maintenance of normothermia	Early removal of catheter
Thromboprophylaxis		Early oral nutrition
No Premedication		Early mobilisation
		Non-opioid oral analgesia
		Stimulation of gut motility
		Audit of compliance and outcomes