Effect of Patient-Controlled Epidural Analgesia (PCEA) Based on ERAS on Postoperative Recovery of Patients Undergoing Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) based on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) on the postoperative recovery of patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Between January 2019 and December 2020, 90 patients scheduled for gynecological laparoscopic surgery and assessed for eligibility were recruited and randomly assigned at a ratio of 1 : 1 to receive either conventional analgesic management (regular group) or PCEA based on ERAS (ERAS group). Comparisons of postoperative rehabilitation indicators, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, self-care ability, complications, and nursing satisfaction were conducted between the two groups. RESULTS: The ERAS group had significantly shorter first exhaust time (FET), first defecation time (FDT), out-of-bed activity time (OAT), and length of stay (LOS) versus the regular group (P < 0.05). The VAS scores were significantly decreased after treatment, with lower results observed in the ERAS group (P < 0.05). The level of self-responsibility, self-concept, self-care skills, and health knowledge increased significantly in both groups after the intervention, and the ERAS group showed significantly higher results than the regular group (P < 0.05). The total incidence of complications in the ERAS group was significantly lower than that in the regular group (P < 0.05). Eligible patients given PCEA based on ERAS were associated with a higher nursing satisfaction (97.78%) versus conventional analgesic management (82.22%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The application of ERAS for postoperative PCEA management in gynecological laparoscopy provides promising results by effectively enhancing the quality of surgery and promoting rapid postoperative recovery, with a good safety profile.