Enhanced Recovery After Surgery and Future Directions

Although the utilization of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways has become more prevalent, issues of compliance and implementation remain. Limiting the complexity of new ERAS^® protocols by maintaining the core elements of ERAS, along with the development of complementary protocols (prehabilitation, the perioperative surgical home, and telemedicine) may improve overall uptake and subsequent patient outcomes. The future directions of ERAS should be centered on improving the dissemination of the practice and ongoing expansion of patient care outside the immediate hospital period.