Modified ERAS Protocol and Length of stay in obstructive colorectal cancer: A study at Saiful Anwar general hospital, Malang

Abstract

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have been widely applied in elective colorectal procedures, demonstrating reductions in complications and Hospital Length of Stay (LOS). However, application in emergency settings such as Obstructive Colorectal Cancer (OCRC) is still underexplored. This retrospective analytical observational study examined the correlation between modified ERAS protocol implementation and LOS in OCRC patients at Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, between January 2022 and January 2024. A total of 45 patients undergoing emergency colorectal resection surgery were categorized based on ERAS adherence. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation and independent t-test. A significant negative correlation was observed between ERAS adherence and LOS (r=-0.304; P=0.042), particularly in postoperative components (r=-0.389; P=0.009). The mean LOS for patients undergoing resection with anastomosis was 7.83±4.53 days, while those with stoma had 7.30±3.63 days (P=0.751). These results support the potential benefit of applying ERAS even in emergency colorectal cancer surgeries to enhance recovery and optimize hospital resources.