Table 1.

The comparison of enhanced recovery elements in our previous and new protocol. The added elements are shown in italics

New protocol	Previous protocol
Preop. physiological optimization	Preop. physiological optimization
Avoid preop. bowel preparation	Avoid preop. bowel preparation
Preop. fasting + carbohydrate drink up to 2 h before surgery	Preop. fasting + carbohydrate drink up to 2 h before surgery
Avoid anaesthetic premedication
Prophylaxis against thromboembolism	Prophylaxis against thromboembolism
Patients walked from the ward to the operation room together with a nurse	Antimicrobial prohylaxis
Antimicrobial prohylaxis	Standard anaesthetic protocol
Perioperative steroid administration	Postop. nausea and vomiting—multimodal approach
Standard anaesthetic protocol	Avoid nasogastric tube
Postop. nausea and vomiting—multimodal approach	Prevent intraop. Hypothermia
Avoid nasogastric tube	Periop.fluid management—goal-directed fluid therapy
Prevent intraop. Hypothermia	Avoid routine surgical drainage
Periop.fluid management—goal-directed fluid therapy	Urinary drainage: 1–2 days only
Avoid routine surgical drainage	Prevention of ileus—multimodal approach
Mobilization already in PACU unit	Postop. analgesia—thoracic epidural/wound catheter (avoid opiates)
Urinary drainage removed already in operating room	Periop. nutritional care (supplements)
Prevention of ileus—multimodal approach	Postop. glucose control
Postop. analgesia—thoracic epidural/wound catheter (avoid opiates)	Early mobilization—intensive physiotherapy (twice daily)
Periop. nutritional care (supplements)
Postop. glucose control
Early mobilization—intensive physiotherapy (twice daily)