Early enhanced recovery after lung surgery: early ambulation 1 hour after extubation

Abstract

Background: In this study, we describe our experience regarding the implementation of early enhanced recovery after lung surgery. We achieved early ambulation within 1 hour after extubation mainly by minimally invasive surgery combined with fast-track thoracic anesthesia. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of early enhanced recovery in 211 patients who underwent lung resection using miniport video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) by a multidisciplinary team in a single institution in the period from August 2018 to August 2019. Results: Out of the 211 patients, 178 achieved early ambulation 1 hour after extubation. The mean age of patients in the early ambulation group was 58.6±10.8 years, and 69 men and 109 women were included. The anesthesia time (100.8±26.6 minutes), extubation time (10±2.1 minutes), and operating time (71.1± 25.3 minutes) were lower in the early ambulation group (P=0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.002, respectively).Segmentectomy was performed in 48.9% of patients in the early ambulation group. The mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 4.1±3.1 days, and the 30-day morbidity was 13.7% (29/211). Prolonged air leak was the main complication, which accounted for 75.9% (22/29). No reinsertion of chest tubes, no 30-day readmissions, and no reoperations in the postoperative 30-day period occurred in any of the patients. Conclusions:Early enhanced recovery after lung surgery is feasible and safe, and may facilitate early ambulation and lay the foundation for the implementation of day surgery.