Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Surgery

NCT07889934 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 18111/30-12-2024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 91
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study compared an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) care program with conventional perioperative care in adults undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either ERAS care or usual care. The ERAS program included coordinated measures before, during, and after surgery aimed at supporting faster and safer recovery. The study evaluated whether ERAS could reduce the length of hospital stay and improve postoperative recovery. Other outcomes included early mobilization, return of bowel function and oral feeding, postoperative pain, complications and adverse events, removal of urinary catheters and drains, discontinuation of intravenous therapy, and selected laboratory measures. The study was conducted at the General Anticancer Oncology Hospital of Athens "Saint Savvas" in Greece.

Conditions

Colorectal Cancer; Colorecatal Cancer Surgery

Keywords

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery; ERAS; Colorectal Cancer; Colorectal Surgery; Perioperative Care; Postoperative Recovery; Length of Stay; Postoperative Complications; Postoperative Pain; Early Mobilization; Bowel Function; Nursing Care

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Postoperative Length of Hospital Stay

  Number of calendar days from the date of surgery to the date of hospital discharge, obtained from the hospital medical record. A shorter postoperative hospital stay indicates earlier discharge after colorectal cancer surgery.

  From the date of surgery to hospital discharge, up to approximately 14 days

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Time to First Postoperative Mobilization

  From surgery until first mobilization, assessed during the first postoperative day and thereafter if needed

• Time to Full Postoperative Mobilization

  From surgery until full mobilization

• Time to Return of Gastrointestinal Motility

  From surgery until return of gastrointestinal motility

• Time to Postoperative Oral Feeding

  From surgery until resumption of oral feeding

• Postoperative Pain Intensity

  0-2, 2-6, 6-12, and 12-24 hours after surgery; postoperative days 1, 2, and 3; and at hospital discharge

Other Outcomes (4)

• Postoperative Hemoglobin

  postoperative day 1

• Postoperative Hematocrit

  postoperative day 1

• Postoperative White Blood Cell Count

  postoperative day 1

Study Arms (2)

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a structured Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) perioperative care pathway for colorectal cancer surgery. The pathway included coordinated perioperative measures intended to reduce surgical stress and promote earlier postoperative recovery, including preoperative preparation and education, perioperative analgesic management, postoperative mobilization, nutritional recovery, and planned discontinuation of supportive devices and therapies.

Other: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Pathway

Conventional Perioperative Care

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received the conventional perioperative care routinely provided for colorectal cancer surgery at the study center.

Other: Conventional Perioperative Care

Interventions

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Pathway OTHER

A multimodal perioperative care pathway applied before, during, and after colorectal cancer surgery, designed to reduce surgical stress and accelerate functional recovery.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)

Conventional Perioperative Care OTHER

Routine perioperative care provided at the study center to patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery.

Conventional Perioperative Care

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 years or older.
• Diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
• Scheduled to undergo surgical resection of the colorectal tumor.
• Ability to understand and communicate in Greek.
• Sufficient cognitive capacity to understand the study information, provide informed consent, and participate in the study procedures.

You may not qualify if:

• Current treatment for chronic pain.
• Use of psychopharmacological medication as defined in the study protocol.
• Acute or chronic renal disease.
• Acute or chronic hepatic disease.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of West Attica: lead
• Saint Savvas Anticancer Hospital: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

General Anticancer Oncology Hospital of Athens "Saint Savvas"

Athens, 11522, Greece

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Colorectal Neoplasms; Postoperative Complications; Pain, Postoperative

Interventions

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Intestinal Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Colonic Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Rectal Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Perioperative Care; Surgical Procedures, Operative

Study Officials

• Martha Kelesi, Prof

  Nursing Department, University of West Attica

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Masking was not feasible because the ERAS pathway involved identifiable perioperative care practices implemented by the clinical team.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Nurse Manager, Anesthesiology Department, General Anticancer Oncology Hospital of Athens "Agios Savvas"; PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of West Attica

Model Details: Participants were assigned to one of two parallel groups: an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) perioperative care pathway or conventional perioperative care. Outcomes were assessed during the postoperative period through hospital discharge.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 18, 2026
• First Posted: October 22, 2026
• Study Start: September 17, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 25, 2025
• Study Completion: July 30, 2025
• Last Updated: October 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

GR (1)