Enhanced Recovery Protocol for Colon Surgery

Benefits of the enhanced recovery protocol include shorter length hospital stay and faster recovery.

The enhanced recovery protocol for colon surgery was first developed in Europe and is now gaining momentum in the U.S. Lincoln Surgical has implemented the program at Memorial Hospital Belleville and Memorial Hospital East.

This protocol looks at the entire perioperative phase (from the first consultation with the surgeon through complete recovery) and addresses each factor to help you through the process.

Patient Education

Education is a critical component of this protocol. The patient and their family will take an active role in the patient's recovery. For example, if there is time to quit smoking and drinking alcohol prior to the surgery, it can reduce surgery risks, anesthesia risks, and breathing problems after surgery. 

Did You Know?

Dr. Barnett was the driving force behind instituting this colon surgery recovery protocol at Memorial Hospital.

Patients can also drink liquids up to a couple hours before surgery. Patients also drink carbohydrate drinks before surgery to decrease nausea and vomiting, as well as reduce the stress of the procedure.

Additionally, patients will be asked to start moving sooner than with traditional recovery, and we will work with pain management to avoid narcotics. 

Quicker Recovery

With the enhanced recovery protocol, it is important for patients to do the following soon after surgery:

  • Get up and walk around
  • Eat and drink
  • Experience optimal pain control.

Walking around and eating and drinking sooner will help return your digestive tract to normal function as soon as possible after surgery.  

We are going to see shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries for patients with these types of digestive tract surgeries. —-Dr. Barnett