Outcome of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol in vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol is an innovative approach to perioperative care that aims to reduce morbidity and postoperative length of stay (LOS) by accelerating the postoperative recovery process while minimizing postoperative complications. This study aimed to assess the impact of ERAS implementation on outcomes in urogynecology, specifically in vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 44 patients diagnosed with POP and undergoing vaginal surgery in a tertiary urogynecology unit from December 2023 to July 2024. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The outcomes evaluated were postoperative LOS, urinary retention, postoperative pain, and the 30-day hospital readmission rates. The 44 subjects were analyzed and divided into 2 groups, namely the study group (ERAS group) with 22 patients and the control group (pre-ERAS group) with 22 patients. The mean postoperative LOS in the ERAS group was significantly shorter than in the pre-ERAS group (1.2 and 2.2 days, respectively, p<0.001). The incidence of urinary retention in the ERAS group was higher than in the pre-ERAS group, but was not statistically significant (4 and 2 subjects, respectively, p=0.664). The postoperative pain intensity of all subjects in both groups was categorized as mild. There were no 30-day readmissions in either group. ERAS protocol can reduce postoperative LOS. Patients who underwent ERAS intervention had postoperative pain intensity, but the incidence of urinary retention and 30-day readmissions was not significantly different compared to patients who did not undergo ERAS intervention.