Gastrointestinal motility has more of an impact on postoperative recovery than you might expect

•Recovery of gastrointestinal motility is a key point in postoperative recovery.•Patients’ self-reported autonomy is impaired by ASA score>2.•Patients’ self-reported autonomy is improved by laparoscopy.•Patient's self-reported autonomy could help to optimise the day of discharge after surgery. While patient's reported autonomy (PRA) may help the physician to adapt the day of discharge, the link between postoperative ileus and length of stay and PRA is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of the PRA score during the postoperative period and to determine the factors possibly influencing such an evolution. This retrospective study on a prospective database took place in a single centre over 14 months. PRA was defined by the by using part I of the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale known as activity of daily life [from 9 (best) to 45 (worst)]. Among the 101 patients operated on for elective or emergent colorectal surgery, 80% of the patients had recovered their preoperative PRA (±5 points) before discharge and maintained their PRA during the 2 days preceding discharge. While PRA was significantly decreased by surgery (P