Association of surgical care practices with length of stay and use of clinical protocols after elective bowel resection: results of a national survey.

Background: Although management techniques have been proposed to accelerate gastrointestinal recovery after elective bowel resection (BR), most data are derived from single-institution experience. This study assessed the current state of perioperative care for elective BRs and the effect of pathway components on length of stay.

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among surgeons regarding their last elective BR.