Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Thoracic Surgery

Abstract

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multidisciplinary, comprehensive approach to perioperative care that aims to mitigate the stress response to surgery, thus enabling a smoother recovery and faster return to baseline functional status. While still an emerging concept in thoracic surgery, ERAS is comprised of core components that span the pre-operative, intraoperative, and post-operative arenas. The involvement of the anesthesiologist is vital to the success of a thoracic ERAS program. Here we will review the background and core tenets of ERAS, the available literature related to specific components, the barriers to implementation, and the direction for future efforts in this field.