Priorities and Strategy for the Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Thoracic Surgery

This study evaluated 139 patients undergoing elective lung resections, focusing on compliance with Enhanced Recovery After Thoracic Surgery (ERATS) protocols and patient outcomes. Key results included a median postoperative hospital stay of seven days and a 19 percent perioperative complication rate, with no 30-day mortality. The study categorized ERATS measures into three compliance groups: patient-dependent measures (49.3 percent compliance), interdisciplinary consensus measures (85.8 percent), and surgical measures (88 percent). Newly implemented strategies included anemia management, carbohydrate loading, and standardized chest drain management. Other existing measures, such as perioperative antibiotics and intraoperative warming, are already well-established. The study emphasized the need for tailored implementation to enhance compliance, particularly in patient-dependent aspects, to improve overall outcomes. These findings suggest that step-by-step integration of ERATS protocols can significantly benefit thoracic surgery practices, offering a framework for better recovery and reduced complications​.