Comment on: Dexmedetomidine reduces postoperative pain and speeds recovery after bariatric surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) care pathways were proposed in the 1990s by Henrik Kehlet. Dr. Kehlet’s ideas resulted in the formation of the ERAS Study Group led by Ken Fearon and Olle Ljungqvist in 2001. The ERAS Study Group first published an evidence-based consensus protocol for patients undergoing colonic surgery in 2005 [1]. The group subsequently published data showing that simply adding a protocol was not enough to improve outcomes but that reorganization of care was required [2].