Enhanced Recovery After Cleft Lip Repair: Protocol Development and Implementation in Outreach Settings
The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal / SAGE Publications
This article describes the development and implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol for patients undergoing cleft lip repair, with contributions from Dr. Elie Ramly and colleagues. The ERAS approach integrates evidence-based perioperative practices — including patient education, multimodal pain control, early feeding, and optimized discharge planning — to improve postoperative recovery. In their series of outreach patients, the protocol was associated with reduced discomfort, minimal complications, shorter hospital stays, and earlier oral intake, demonstrating that ERAS principles can be applied effectively and safely even in resource-limited settings.

