Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) versus standard recovery for gastric cancer patients: The evidences and the issues

The significant advances that have been reached, in the last decades, in the treatment of gastric cancer, contributed to the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) with the aim to reduce the surgical stress, accelerate postoperative recovery, and reduce the length of hospital stay. The most important items included in the ERAS protocols are the pre-operative patient education, early mobilization and immediate oral intake from the first postoperative day. The aim of this narrative review is to focus the attention on the possible advantages of ERAS program on perioperative functional recovery outcomes after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Automated summary

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of gastric cancer, leading to the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). The aim of ERAS is to reduce surgical stress, accelerate postoperative recovery, and shorten hospital stay. This narrative review focuses on the potential advantages of ERAS program in perioperative functional recovery outcomes after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.