ERAS program for total joints reduces length of stay

Editor's Note

Use of an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) program in total hip and total knee patients reduced length of stay by 1 day in this study.

Short term complications and readmission rates were similar for patients in the ERAS program and those managed in a traditional perioperative care environment.

ERAS patients had reduced costs overall.

Standardized perioperative care within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme aims to reduce postoperative morbidity and length of hospital stay (LOS). This study evaluated the effect of ERAS in patients undergoing elective, primary total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) in a New Zealand public hospital.