Enhanced recovery in gynaecology

Abstract

Key content Enhanced recovery pathways improve the quality and experience of care for patients undergoing elective gynaecology surgery. Enhanced recovery pathways enable patients to recover more quickly and leave hospital sooner. Enhanced recovery pathways reduce physical and psychological stress on patients. Enhanced recovery pathways involve patients in their own care, which leads to better outcomes. Learning objectives To understand the principles and benefits of enhanced recovery pathways. To share learning and experience of enhanced recovery pathways. Ethical issues Further research in the form of a randomised controlled trial of enhanced recovery versus ‘old fashioned’ care would be difficult as denying aspects of care would not be ethical.