000170220 001__ 170220 000170220 005__ 20260407115449.0 000170220 0247_ $$2doi$$a10.3390/jcm15051706 000170220 0248_ $$2sideral$$a148730 000170220 037__ $$aART-2026-148730 000170220 041__ $$aeng 000170220 100__ $$aIoannidis, Orestis 000170220 245__ $$aA Phase-Based, Multidisciplinary Enhanced Recovery Pathway for Bariatric Procedures: The EUropean PErioperative MEdical Networking (EUPEMEN) Collaborative for Obesity Surgery 000170220 260__ $$c2026 000170220 5060_ $$aAccess copy available to the general public$$fUnrestricted 000170220 5203_ $$aBackground/Objectives: Obesity remains a major global health burden, with metabolic–bariatric surgery being the most efficient long-term treatment strategy. However, both variability in perioperative care and postoperative complications persist. To address these challenges, the EUropean PErioperative MEdical Networking (EUPEMEN) protocol for bariatric surgery was developed to standardize care and enhance perioperative outcomes across European healthcare settings. Methods: The protocol was formulated through close collaboration among experts from multiple disciplines, involving surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, and nutritionists. Its development included a literature review, expert consensus, and the creation of structured perioperative guidelines covering the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. Focus areas include patient education, nutritional optimization, early mobilization, opioid-sparing analgesia, and minimally invasive surgical techniques, supported by educational materials and manuals. Technical activities included the development of detailed multimodal rehabilitation manuals translated into five languages, the creation of an open-access online learning platform, training of future educators through a “train the trainer” approach, organization of multiplier promotional events, international collaboration meetings to refine the protocol, and revision and standardization of existing perioperative care guidelines to ensure evidence-based, unified practices across Europe. Results: Implementation of the EUPEMEN protocol aims to reduce postoperative complications, enhance recovery, and decrease hospitalization time. Standardized rehabilitation pathways and access to free educational platforms promote consistent care delivery across diverse healthcare environments. Key strategies include early oral intake, limited use of invasive devices, and comprehensive patient preparation. Conclusions: The EUPEMEN protocol introduces an evidence-based, multidisciplinary framework for optimizing perioperative management in bariatric surgery. While variability in resources and adherence may present potential obstacles, its application holds significant promise for improving perioperative outcomes. Future studies are necessary to assess its long-term impact and adaptability in different healthcare settings. 000170220 536__ $$9info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EUR/ERASMUS/2020-1-ES01-KA203-082681 000170220 540__ $$9info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess$$aby$$uhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.es 000170220 655_4 $$ainfo:eu-repo/semantics/article$$vinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion 000170220 700__ $$aAnestiadou, Elissavet 000170220 700__ $$0(orcid)0000-0001-7964-1166$$aRamirez, Jose M.$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza 000170220 700__ $$aFabbri, Nicolò 000170220 700__ $$0(orcid)0000-0003-2462-1904$$aMartínez Ubieto, Javier$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza 000170220 700__ $$aFeo, Carlo Vittorio 000170220 700__ $$aPesce, Antonio 000170220 700__ $$aRosetzka, Kristyna 000170220 700__ $$aArroyo, Antonio 000170220 700__ $$aKocián, Petr 000170220 700__ $$aSánchez-Guillén, Luis 000170220 700__ $$aBellosta, Ana Pascual 000170220 700__ $$aWhitley, Adam 000170220 700__ $$aEnguita, Alejandro Bona 000170220 700__ $$aTeresa-Fernandéz, Marta 000170220 700__ $$aBitsianis, Stefanos 000170220 700__ $$aSymeonidis, Savvas 000170220 7102_ $$11013$$2090$$aUniversidad de Zaragoza$$bDpto. Cirugía$$cÁrea Cirugía 000170220 773__ $$g15, 5 (2026), 1706$$pJ. clin.med.$$tJournal of Clinical Medicine$$x2077-0383 000170220 8564_ $$s669229$$uhttps://zaguan.unizar.es/record/170220/files/texto_completo.pdf$$yVersión publicada 000170220 8564_ $$s2788853$$uhttps://zaguan.unizar.es/record/170220/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon$$xicon$$yVersión publicada 000170220 909CO $$ooai:zaguan.unizar.es:170220$$particulos$$pdriver 000170220 951__ $$a2026-03-26-14:31:58 000170220 980__ $$aARTICLE