Comparison of the Effectiveness of Implementing Modified ERAS Protocols vs. Standard Management in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Major Gastrointestinal Surgery

Perioperative management of pediatric patients with gastrointestinal diseases involves a fairly length process and which can lead to rapid deterioration even death. Preoperative management includes preoperative fasting for such a long time, usage of drains and tubes and post-operative bed rest for a long time which can cause pain, stress, and slowing down the recovery time for normal bowel function, thus further prolonging the patient's stay in hospital. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a concept that seeks faster recovery times for pediatric patients and shortens the length of hospital stay while still improving postoperative outcomes. ERAS was first introduced by a Danish surgeon, Henrik Kehlet in the 1990s to reduce perioperative stress and organ dysfunction in surgical patients. ERAS is an evidence-based technique and combines and optimizes various multidisciplinary methods used in conventional surgical management, includes surgery, anesthesia, nursing, and nutrition. ERAS emphasizes perioperative preparation including preoperative counseling, limited time in preoperative fasting, optimal anesthesia, minimally invasive techniques, immediate postoperative oral nutrition and mobilization, and non-routine use of drainage and surgical tubes. The ERAS modification protocol aims to optimize inpatient care and minimize patient discomfort. Studies show that implementing the modified ERAS protocol can reduce the duration of hospitalization and the incidence of postoperative complications as well as speedy recovery. However, currently the standard ERAS protocol is difficult to apply to pediatric patients because several conditions are not possible in pediatric patients, for example, administering anticoagulants, post-operative fasting, etc., thus requiring modifications that are tailored to the characteristics of the patients at Ciptomangunkusumo Hospital. Children experience a more complex surgical stress response than adult patients. Conventional perioperative management in children often results in greater physical stress. Therefore, perioperative management in children needs to be optimized.