Effect of implementing an enhanced recovery protocol for pediatric colorectal surgery on complication rate, length of stay, and opioid use in children

•What is currently known about this topic?.•Enhanced recovery pathways improve outcomes in adult patients, but evidence in pediatrics is lacking. This retrospective study compared outcomes of pediatric, adolescent, and young adult colorectal surgery patients following an enhanced recovery protocol (ERP) to those of patients who had traditional pathways.•What new information is contained in this article?.•The ERP implementation reduced length of stay (LOS) and postoperative complications in children. Average pain was lower on postoperative day 1 and across the hospitalization. As evidenced by improved pain control, fewer complications, and shorter LOS; ERP are beneficial for children and young adults undergoing colorectal surgery.