The perioperative effect of ERAS protocol in patients with lung cancer: a randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE: To Explore the Safety and Feasibility of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in the Perioperative Clinical Application for Patients with Lung Cancer. METHODS: Sixty patients with early-stage lung cancer who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS) lobectomy at Shifang People's Hospital were selected and randomly divided into the ERAS group (E group) and the control group (C group). The differences in postoperative recovery and the incidence of complications between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The postoperative pain score of patients in E group was lower than that in C group (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, the levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and percentage of neutrophils (NEUT%) in E group were lower than those in C group (P < 0.05); the time to first ambulation after surgery, duration of drainage, length of hospital stay, and total hospitalization cost in E group were all less than those in C group (P < 0.05). Patient satisfaction in E group was higher (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications in E group was lower than that in C group, showing a trend toward reduction without reaching statistical significance (P > 0.05). No 14-day unplanned readmission or reoperation was found in both groups, and the postoperative quality of life in E group was better (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lung cancer patients who undergo UVATS lobectomy and receive perioperative ERAS achieve faster recovery and higher satisfaction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500111029) on 23/10/2025.