ERAS protocol for perioperative management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

To evaluate an effectiveness of enhanced recovery program for perioperative support of patients with lung cancer. A prospective single-center study on effectiveness of ERAS protocol in perioperative support of patients with lung cancer was conducted at the Tomsk Regional Cancer Center. According to the study design, patients were divided into three groups. The first group included patients after VATS surgery followed by accelerated recovery. The second and the third groups comprised of patients after open interventions. In these groups, patients were randomized into traditional management or accelerated recovery management groups using the blind envelope method. Patients with indicated lobectomy or bilobectomy were included only. In postoperative period, we analyzed morbidity, pain syndrome and hospital-stay. A total of 235 patients were treated. VATS surgery followed by enhanced recovery program was applied in 61 patients. Eighty-seven patients underwent open operations followed by accelerated recovery protocol and traditional management. ERAS protocol ensured less postoperative morbidity compared to traditional management (p<0.001). Pain syndrome was less pronounced after VATS surgery and did not require an appointment of narcotic analgesics. In the group of open surgery followed by accelerated recovery protocol, narcotic analgesics within 3 postoperative days were required in 38 (43.6%) cases, in the group of traditional management - in 63 (72.4%) patients. Mean postoperative hospital-stay after VATS operations was 6.4 days, after open interventions followed by ERAS protocol - 8.7 days. In patients after open surgery and traditional postoperative management, mean hospital-stay was 14.2 days. One patient died after open surgery followed by ERAS protocol and 3 patients died in the group of traditional management. ERAS protocol ensures less postoperative morbidity, early activation of patients and reduced hospital-stay.