Monterey, CA Surgery Recovery Getting Easier With New Method

Recovering from a major surgery can be a long and arduous road.  Many physicians are now abandoning the traditional heavy IV fluids, powerful narcotics and bed rest as a growing body of research is showing that this type of routine can do more harm than good.  There is now a new method called “enhanced recovery” which was developed in Europe and is starting to roll out more widely in the U.S.  With traditional recovery methods patients can remain in the hospital or recovery centers for 10 days or more with complication rates of up to 48%, according to research from the Duke University School of Medicine.  With enhanced recovery protocols, patients get a carbohydrate-loaded drink fortified with electrolytes, minerals and vitamins two or three hours prior to surgery instead of the traditional fasting.  They are given nonnarcotic painkillers and epidurals and get only necessary levels of IV fluid during surgery.  Soon after surgery, they are able to eat solid food and are discharged within a short period of time with careful instructions for home care.  A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that using this new method on colorectal-surgery patients reduced the length of hospital stays by an average of 2.2 days.  Talk to your surgeon about this new method if you are about to have surgery.  if you need in-home help, please call our Platinum Sponsor Alliance Home Health at 455-8901.