Review article

Enhanced recovery after cesarean section: current trends

Tomislav Ružman ; Consultant anaesthetist, South Tess NHS Foundation Trust, The James Cook University Hospital, Middelsbrough, United Kingdom
Aidan Watson ; Northern School of anaesthesia and intensive care medicine, South Tess NHS Foundation Trust, The James Cook University Hospital, Middelsbrough, United Kingdom

Abstract

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols are multimodal perioperative
care pathways designed to achieve early recovery for patients undergoing
major surgical procedures. These evidence-based care improvement protocols
have become standard for multiple surgical procedures in urology, gynaecology,
orthopaedic and breast surgery. Over the last two decades these protocols
have gained popularity in obstetrics due to improvements in both maternal
and neonatal outcomes. Caesarean Section ERAS protocols are increasingly
promoted and have now become widely accepted mostly in high income countries.
The ERAS for Caesarean Section covers the entire perioperative period;
including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods, based on
multimodal treatments given by a multidisciplinary team consisting of obstetricians,
anesthesiologists, midwives, nurses and neonatologists. Barriers for
ERAS implementation are lack of manpower and managerial support, poor
communication and collaboration among perioperative services and a resistance
to shifting away from outdated practices. ERAS protocols should therefore
be adapted to incorporate local hospital policies and practices, adjusted to
suit obstetric patients and regularly reviewed and updated.

Keywords

enhanced recovery after surgery; cesarean section; anesthesia; obstetric; perioperative care; maternal health

Hrčak ID:

351487

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/351487

Publication date:

7.10.2026.

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