FAST RECOVERY AFTER GASTRIC CANCER SURGERY THROUGH ERAS PROTOCOL

Recently, a woman over 80 years old made a remarkable recovery following a laparoscopic partial gastrectomy and was discharged just three days after surgery, thanks to strict adherence to the ERAS protocol.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital has successfully implemented the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program for several years. This evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach optimizes patient nutrition, accelerates recovery, and reduces hospital stays.

Ms. T. (82 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) was admitted with persistent abdominal pain. After endoscopy and diagnostic tests, she was diagnosed with gastric cancer in the antrum and advised to undergo surgery.

Given her advanced age and underlying hypertension, the General Surgery team prepared meticulously for the procedure. With her family’s consent, the ERAS protocol was applied to ensure safety and support a fast recovery.

Dr. Nguyen Vu Quang, MMed, Specialist Level I in General Surgery, explained: “ERAS is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary care approach that eliminates outdated practices like prolonged fasting and delayed mobilization. With ERAS, patients undergoing major surgery — including gastric cancer — may not need to fast before surgery and can be discharged as early as three days post-op, compared to the traditional 7-day recovery”.

With expert support from specialists in Cardiology, Nutrition, Anesthesiology, and General Surgery, the surgical team optimized the patient’s condition preoperatively.

Dr. Quang and the surgical team performed a three-hour laparoscopic partial gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy. The resected specimen was enclosed in a protective bag and removed through a small incision just above the pubic bone — leaving no visible abdominal scar and helping to reduce postoperative pain.

Despite the major surgery, the patient was able to sit up, drink water, and consume soup within 24 hours. By Day 3, she began eating porridge and walking, and on Day 3, she was discharged in good condition — much to the delight of her and her family.

Dr. Quang further noted:

“The ERAS protocol replaces outdated methods such as overnight fasting with carbohydrate loading two hours before surgery, promotes minimally invasive techniques over large incisions, optimizes fluid balance, minimizes or eliminates surgical drains, encourages early mobilization, and allows for oral intake on the same day of surgery. These practices have been proven to enhance recovery, improve outcomes, and reduce hospital costs”.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital currently applies ERAS across various specialties, including stomach, esophagus, colorectal, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic surgeries. The program’s success relies on close coordination among departments — Anesthesiology, Clinical Nutrition, Rehabilitation, Pharmacy, Surgery, and Nursing — all staffed by highly experienced professionals.

Dr. Nguyen Vu Quang, MMed, Specialist Level I advises patients to seek early screening if they experience warning signs such as loss of appetite, early satiety, persistent abdominal discomfort or bloating, fatigue, pale skin or mucosa, or rapid unexplained weight loss — which may indicate gastric cancer or other serious gastrointestinal conditions.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital accepts both public health insurance and private health insurance.

Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital

No. 88, Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, Ho Chi Minh City.

Hotline: 18006767

info@nih.com.vn

BRC: No. 0312088602, issued on December 14th, 2012 by the Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City. Medical Examination and Treatment License No. 230/BYT-GPHĐ, issued by the Ministry of Health.