Publication date: Aug 01, 2025
Background: To improve patient outcomes amid reduced healthcare resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, a single Canadian cancer center implemented an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for autologous DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 100 consecutive patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction with DIEP flaps using the ERAS protocol and 100 patients using a standard protocol. Primary outcomes were the hospital length of stay and opioid use. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, laxative and antiemetic consumption. Results: In this study, 80% of the patients had immediate reconstruction, while the remaining patients received either delayed immediate or delayed reconstruction. Patients in the ERAS group had shorter hospital stays (2. 8 vs 4. 5 days; P
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Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 pandemic |
| disease | MESH | cancer |
| disease | MESH | postoperative complications |