The intensive care unit in the postoperative period of major abdominal surgery.

Despite low mortality in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery, the number of high-risk patients is increasing and has become a health problem. At present, surgery is understood as a continuous process, in which numerous guidelines added to less invasive techniques offering a lesser physiological impact upon patients with serious comorbidities are responsible for the final outcome. The prevention, identification and early treatment of complications prove as important as the preoperative or surgical technique.?The introduction of ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) protocols is the cornerstone for the management of these patients, and is advocated by most surgical societies for reducing mortality, length of hospital stay and hospital costs. The postoperative management of these patients in postsurgery Intensive Care Units guarantees effectiveness and efficiency in maintaining optimum patient care.