Enhanced recovery (ERAS) after minimally invasive stomach cancer surgery
Effectiveness of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) on Postoperative Recovery After Minimally Invasive Gastrectomy: A Multi-center Open-labeled Randomized Controlled Study
This project tests whether an enhanced recovery (ERAS) program helps people recover faster and leave the hospital sooner after minimally invasive stomach cancer surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 308 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Seoul National University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 10 sites (Busan and 9 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06984952 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter trial compares a structured ERAS protocol with conventional perioperative care in adults undergoing elective laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Patients were randomized 1:1 (154 per group) to receive either the ERAS pathway or usual care, with ERAS elements including preoperative carbohydrate loading, shorter perioperative fasting, and multimodal opioid-sparing analgesia. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients who meet standardized discharge criteria at 9:00 AM on postoperative day 4, and secondary outcomes include EQ-5D-5L quality-of-life scores, pain at rest and with coughing, I-FEED gastrointestinal function, postoperative nausea and vomiting, major complications (Clavien-Dindo), and length of hospital stay. The open-label design and multiple high-volume centers aim to generate results that reflect real-world implementation of ERAS in minimally invasive gastrectomy.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 19 or older scheduled for elective laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer with ASA physical status I–III who can provide informed consent and complete patient-reported measures.
Not a fit: Patients who require additional organ resections, have prior upper abdominal surgery (other than cholecystectomy), or have known hypersensitivity to the study analgesics may not be eligible or likely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the ERAS protocol could let more patients meet discharge criteria earlier, reduce pain and nausea, and shorten hospital stays after minimally invasive gastrectomy.
How similar studies have performed: ERAS programs have improved recovery and shortened hospital stays in colorectal surgery and have shown benefit in several gastric surgery reports, although protocols and effect sizes vary across centers.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged ≥19 years scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer * American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification I to III * Ability to provide written informed consent, demonstrate understanding of the study protocol, and complete patient-reported outcome measures appropriately Exclusion Criteria: * Requirement for resection of organs other than the stomach during surgery (except for cholecystectomy) * History of upper abdominal surgery (except for cholecystectomy) * Known hypersensitivity to fentanyl, ropivacaine, acetaminophen, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs * Determined by the investigator or study personnel to be otherwise unsuitable for participation in the study
Where this trial is running
Busan and 9 other locations
- Pusan National University Hospital — Busan, South Korea (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Dongsan Hospital, Keimyung University School of Medicine — Daegu, South Korea (Recruiting)
- Chungnam National University Hospital — Daejeon, South Korea (Not_yet_recruiting)
- National Cancer Center — Goyang, South Korea (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital — Seongnam, South Korea (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Seoul National University Hospital — Seoul, South Korea (Recruiting)
- Seoul St. Mary's Hospital — Seoul, South Korea (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Severance hospital — Seoul, South Korea (Not_yet_recruiting)
- SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, — Seoul, South Korea (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Ajou University School of Medicine — Suwon, South Korea (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Do Joong Park, MD, PhD — Seoul National University Hospital
- Study coordinator: Hojin Lee, MD, PhD
- Email: hjpainfree@snu.ac.kr
- Phone: 82-2-2072-2467
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.