Professor Henrik Kehlet is a globally recognized pioneer in perioperative medicine whose innovative approaches have fundamentally reshaped surgical recovery protocols worldwide. He currently holds the position of Professor of Perioperative Therapy at the University of Copenhagen and serves as Head of the Section for Surgical Pathophysiology at Rigshospitalet, roles he has maintained since 2006 and 2004 respectively. After graduating in medicine from the University of Copenhagen in 1968, he completed his PhD in 1977 with groundbreaking research on surgical stress response in steroid-treated patients. His early career encompassed extensive clinical training at Gentofte University Hospital and significant research periods at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, establishing the foundation for his lifelong dedication to optimizing surgical outcomes through scientific rigor.
Professor Kehlet's seminal contribution is the development of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, formerly known as 'fast-track surgery,' which has revolutionized clinical practice across multiple surgical disciplines. His comprehensive framework integrates evidence-based care elements applied before, during, and after surgical procedures to systematically reduce physiological stress responses and accelerate patient recovery while minimizing complications. With an impressive scholarly record exceeding 1,200 scientific publications and an H-index of 84 reflecting over 28,000 citations, his work represents one of the most influential bodies of research in modern surgical medicine. The global impact of his methodologies is evident in their widespread implementation across healthcare systems worldwide, significantly improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital stays through standardized, evidence-driven protocols.
His exceptional contributions were recognized with the inaugural BJS Society Award in 2023, widely regarded as the surgical equivalent of the Nobel Prize, for which he was selected from among more than 70 international nominees through a selection process mirroring the Nobel Prize. Professor Kehlet extends his leadership as scientific director for the Lundbeck Foundation Centre for Fast-track Hip and Knee Replacement, driving evidence-based implementation through large prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials. Having delivered more than 300 invited lectures at international scientific meetings and earned numerous honorary fellowships from prestigious medical societies worldwide, he continues to shape the global discourse on perioperative care. Professor Kehlet's enduring legacy lies in establishing new benchmarks for patient-centered surgical recovery that balance rigorous scientific methodology with practical clinical application across the surgical spectrum.
