Application of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols in General Surgical Practice at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols represent an evidence-based multimodal perioperative care pathway designed to reduce surgical stress, accelerate recovery, and shorten hospital stays. Despite global adoption, implementation in Nigerian public hospitals remains limited. This study evaluates the application and outcomes of ERAS protocols among general surgical patients at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, Delta State, South South Nigeria, from 2021 to 2023. A quasi-experimental before-and-after study design was used, comparing 90 patients managed under traditional perioperative care with 90 patients managed under a locally adapted ERAS protocol. Outcome measures included time to first oral intake, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain scores, complication rates, and 30-day readmission rates. Patients in the ERAS group demonstrated significantly shorter hospital stays (mean 3.1 days versus 5.6 days), earlier resumption of oral feeding, and lower analgesic requirements. Complication rates and readmissions were comparable between groups. Staff compliance with ERAS elements was 76%, with preoperative carbohydrate loading and early mobilization as the least consistently applied components. The study demonstrates that ERAS can be successfully adapted to the Nigerian context and recommends structured ERAS training programs and institutional policy support for rollout at FMC Asaba and similar facilities in South South Nigeria. Keywords: ERAS, perioperative care, recovery, Delta State, surgical outcomes