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. 2017 Feb 27;9(2):37–45. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v9.i2.37

Table 2.

Enhanced recovery after surgery society recommendations for colonic surgery and their evidence level[6]

ERAS element with high/moderate level evidence ERAS element with low level evidence
Stopping smoking 4 wk prior to surgery Pre-operative information and counselling
No routine use of bowel preparation Stopping drinking alcohol 4 wk prior to surgery
Allowing clear fluids up until 2 h before and solids 6 h before anaesthetic induction Peri-operative oral nutritional supplements and carbohydrate loading
No routine use of sedative premedication Standard anaesthetic that allows rapid awakening
Routine thromboprophylaxis Post-operative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis
Antimicrobial prophylaxis and skin preparation Routine urinary drainage
Balanced intravenous fluids guided by flow measurements Using stress reducing elements of ERAS to minimise hyperglycaemia
Use of mid thoracic epidural blocks in open surgery Early mobilisation
Us of spinal analgesia or PCA in laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgery
No routine use of nasogastric tubes
Maintenance of normothermia
No routine intra-abdominal drains
Early post-operative enteral feeding
Insulin treatment of severe hyperglycaemia in ICU
Use of chewing gum to prevent post-operative ileus

ERAS: Enhanced recovery after surgery; PCA: Patient controlled analgesia; ICU: Intensive care unit.