More than 14,000 (partial) colon resections or colectomies are proceeded every year in the Netherlands, for example in case of colon cancer. Resection of this organ has a huge impact on the human body which needs physiological adaptations and a long recovery.
Since March 2020 the Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST) has implemented an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program for patients after colon surgery. This reduced hospitalization from ten to approximately five days. The ERAS program includes pre-, peri- and postoperative adjustments, such as adaptations in anaesthesia and stimulation of mobility and healthy nutrition. Reducing hospitalization has several advantages: costs can be tremendously reduced, patients return sooner to their normal lifestyle and environment which accelerates the recovery process and the pressure on nursing departments decreases. The goal of this research is reducing hospital stay after colon surgery to daycare in the MST hospital by selecting patients at low risk of complications and using remote monitoring.
Collaborators in this project are dr. Melanie Lindenberg (TechMed, UT) and dr. Daan Lips (surgery, MST).