Effects of the ERAS protocol in patients undergoing thoracic surgery

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocols have been developed to reduce postoperative complications and shorten hospital stays. The Thoracic ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) guide has been published by the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS). In our study, we aimed to investigate the preoperative and postoperative effects of the ERAS protocol in thoracic surgery patients. Between the dates of 15 May 2022 and 15 February 2023, 80 individuals who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Prehabilitation program including incentive spirometry, endurance exercises and breathing exercises was created within the scope of the ERAS protocol for the patients included in the study. After prehabilitation, pulmonary function tests were repeated and the values before and after prehabilitation were compared. The patients included in the study were evaluated for sarcopenia using hand dynamometry test and CT imaging. The data of 80 individuals who were operated before the ERAS protocol was applied in our clinic were analyzed retrospectively and compared with the patients in the study group who underwent the ERAS protocol in terms of postoperative hospitalization times, chest tube removal times and intensive care unit stays. In our study, it was observed that postoperative hospital stay and chest tube removal time were shortened in accordance with the current literature data in thoracic surgery patients with the ERAS protocol, and it was observed that there was a significant improvement in the respiratory and exercise capacities of the patients with prehabilitation. In conclusion, in our study, it has been observed that the ERAS protocol is beneficial in terms of preoperative and postoperative processes in thoracic surgery patients.