Effect of ERAS-guided refined nursing on early mobilization after lung cancer surgery: a retrospective cohort study

Background Early-stage mobilization is a major component of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for lung cancer surgery. Objective To investigate the impact of ERAS-based refined nursing on early postoperative activities and recovery. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 136 patients who received a radical lung cancer operation, with 68 patients assigned to the conventional nursing group and 68 to the ERAS-guided refined nursing group. Early mobilization parameters were time to first ambulation, ambulation distance at 24 h and 48 h, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and Barthel Index. Secondary outcomes were recovery parameters, pain, complications, nursing compliance, and patient satisfaction. Results Patients in the ERAS group demonstrated significantly earlier ambulation, higher early walking distances, better functional exercise capacity and Barthel Index score than those in the conventional group ( P < 0.001). The postoperative recovery was enhanced with earlier gastrointestinal function, reduced duration of drainage and catheterization, and shorter length of stay (LOS, P < 0.001). Significant reductions in postoperative pain and usage of analgesic pump were observed. The incidence of overall postoperative complications was decreased in the ERAS group, especially the pulmonary infection, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and arrhythmia. Nursing compliance and patient satisfaction were also significantly higher in the ERAS group. Conclusion ERAS-based refined nursing was significantly associated with earlier mobilization, faster postoperative recovery, a lower incidence of complications, and improved nursing compliance and patient satisfaction after lung cancer surgery.