Summary of best evidence for enhanced recovery after surgery for patients undergoing lung cancer operations

Abstract

According to the cancer burden report released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2020, the mortality rate of lung cancer is 18%, ranking first in the world, and its morbidity and mortality rates are highest in China. Pneumonectomy is the preferred treatment for lung cancer patients, but surgery carries a significant risk of perioperative complications, which may affect the patient's functional recovery and quality of life. So, the rehabilitation of the large number of lung cancer patients in China requires greater attention. A number of studies have shown that the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol can reduce the risk of death, readmission rate, adjuvant chemotherapy time, postoperative pain level, anesthesia medication amount, length of stay, and hospitalization expenses. Foreign literature has successively issued guidelines to improve recovery among lung cancer patients, but Chinese-specific literature for patients undergoing lung cancer surgery or thoracic surgery remains inadequate. Some Chinese expert consensus have only considered part of the content of ERAS in thoracic surgery. To summary the evidence of the ERAS program for lung cancer surgery patients at home and abroad basing on evidence-based medicine is necessary. Therefore, this study used evidence-based practical thinking as a guide to (1) evaluate, integrate, and summarize relevant evidence guidelines and data resources at home and abroad so as to construct an enhanced recovery program for lung cancer patients suitable for Chinese national conditions and (2) provide a scientific basis for future research and practice in related fields.

Keywords: Enhanced recovery after surgery; Evidence summary; Evidence-based medicine; Lung cancer.