Published online Apr 21, 2018. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i15.1666
Peer-review started: February 6, 2018
First decision: February 24, 2018
Revised: March 8, 2018
Accepted: March 18, 2018
Article in press: March 18, 2018
Published online: April 21, 2018
Core tip: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have been launched in a variety of surgical fields, including colorectal, orthopedics, urology, esophageal and gynecology, demonstrating favorable outcomes. Pancreatic surgery is considered a high-risk abdominal surgery, due to increased surgical trauma and high incidence of postoperative complications. In this meta-analysis we aimed to evaluate the impact of ERAS on complications of pancreatic surgery. The present study demonstrates that ERAS could reduce complication rates, especially of mild complications, delayed gastric emptying, abdominal infection and postoperative length of hospital stay, while not affecting the rates of postoperative pancreatic fistulas, reoperation, readmission and mortality during the perioperative period.