Randomized Controlled Trial of Extended Perioperative Counseling in Enhanced Recovery After Colorectal Surgery.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Extended Perioperative Counseling in Enhanced Recovery After Colorectal Surgery.

Forsmo HM, Erichsen C, Rasdal A, Tvinnereim JM, Körner H, Pfeffer F. Dis Colon Rectum. 2018 Jun;61(6):724-732

What is already known:
Preoperative education or counselling has always been an important part of a comprehensive ERAS programme. It makes a lot of sense to do it but there is limited good quality evidence for its inclusion.

What this paper adds:
This is the first randomized clinical trial comparing normal and extended counselling within an ERAS programme for colorectal surgery. The group with extended counselling had a higher level of adherence to the elements which resulted in a 2 day reduction in length of stay. A simple but important study highlighting the importance of a good preoperative educational programme.

Chris Jones, Guildford. @chrisnjones