Background: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol are multidisciplinary, evidence-based approaches aimed at optimizing perioperative outcomes. Although extensively applied in various surgical fields, data on ERAS implementation in cesarean deliveries remain limited. This study evaluates the effectiveness of ERAS protocol in elective lower segment cesarean sections (LSCS) compared to conventional management in a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A comparative observational study was conducted at the Postgraduate Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, over 18 months. A total of 260 patients undergoing elective LSCS were recruited and allocated into two groups: ERAS group (n = 130) and conventional care group (n = 130). Data were collected on hospital stay duration, postoperative pain (Visual Analog Scale), complications, need for additional analgesia, readmission rates, and patient satisfaction. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, with p<0.05 considered significant.
Results: The mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ERAS group (2.4±0.5 days) compared to the conventional group (3.9±0.9 days, p<0.001). ERAS patients reported lower postoperative pain scores at 6 hours (3.2±0.2 vs. 4.1±0.7, p<0.001), 12 hours (2.8±0.6 vs. 3.6±0.4, p<0.001), and 24 hours (1.4±0.6 vs. 1.9±0.8, p<0.001). Postoperative complications, including nausea (0% vs. 9.2%, p<0.001), headache (1.5% vs. 16.2%, p<0.001), and ileus (13.1% vs. 26.9%, p = 0.005), were significantly lower in the ERAS group. Patient satisfaction was notably higher in the ERAS group (96.2% vs. 86.9%, p<0.001).
Conclusion: ERAS protocol in elective LSCS significantly reduce hospital stay, postoperative pain, and complications while improving patient satisfaction. These findings support the broader implementation of ERAS in obstetric surgical care to enhance recovery outcomes.
International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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