Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol Optimizes Results and Cost of Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN). METHODS: The clinical data of 89 patients underwent LRN in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from February 2019 to September 2021 were collected (40 in the ERAS group and 49 in the pre-ERAS group). The clinical characteristics, prognosis, and length of hospital stay (LOS) were compared between the two groups using t test, Mann-Whitney test, and chi-square test. RESULTS: Total LOS and postoperative LOS were significantly shorter in ERAS group than in pre-ERAS group [15.0 (13.5-19.5) vs. 12.0 (10.0-14.0), P < 0.001; 8.0 (7.0-10.0) vs. 7.0 (5.0-8.8), P = 0.001]. Compared with the pre-ERAS group, the hospitalization expenses of the ERAS group were also lower (P = 0.023). In addition, the incidence of postoperative complications in the ERAS group also decreased (P = 0.054). CONCLUSIONS: ERAS protocol in LRN could help accelerate the recovery of patients and is worthy of clinical promotion.