Effectiveness of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program after lobectomy for lung cancer: a single-center observational study using propensity score matching in Vietnam

Background: Postoperative complications and extended length of stays (LOS) following lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain significant healthcare and economic burdens, especially in developing countries with limited resources. This study evaluated the effectiveness of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in addressing these issues. Methods: This observational study compared two groups of patients, utilizing a prospective arm for ERAS and a retrospective arm for routine care. Outcomes measured included postoperative LOS, complications, re-operations, and re-admissions. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for potential confounders between the two groups. Results: Among 197 NSCLC patients (98 in the ERAS group and 99 in the routine care group), the PSM resulted in 63 patients in each group. After PSM, the ERAS group experienced a significantly shorter postoperative LOS compared to the routine group (median: 4.6 vs. 5.1 days, P=0.01). There were no significant differences in postoperative complication and re-operative rates between the two groups. However, the ERAS group had a significantly lower postoperative 30-day re-admission rate of 1.6%, compared to 14.3% in the routine care group (P=0.02). Conclusions: In NSCLC patients who underwent lobectomy, ERAS protocols improve postoperative outcomes by reducing LOS and re-admission rates. Therefore, ERAS should be considered a replacement for routine protocols in developing countries to minimize healthcare and economic burdens.