Analysis of the impact of ERAS-based respiratory function training on older patients' ability to prevent pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: In China, as the population grows older, the number of elderly people who have died from respiratory problems has increased.

AIM: To investigate whether enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)-based respiratory function training may help older patients who had abdominal surgery suffer fewer pulmonary problems, shorter hospital stays, and improved lung function.

METHODS: The data of 231 elderly individuals having abdominal surgery was retrospectively analyzed. Based on whether ERAS-based respiratory function training was provided, patients were divided into ERAS group ( n = 112) and control group ( n = 119). Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and respiratory tract infection (RTI) were the primary outcome variables. Secondary outcome variables included the Borg score Scale, FEV1/FVC and postoperative hospital stay.

RESULTS: The percentage of 18.75% of ERAS group participants and 34.45% of control group participants, respectively, had respiratory infections ( P = 0.007). None of the individuals experienced PE or DVT. The ERAS group's median postoperative hospital stay was 9.5 d (3-21 d) whereas the control groups was 11 d (4-18 d) ( P = 0.028). The Borg score decreased on the 4th d following surgery in the ERAS group compared to the 2nd d prior ( P = 0.003). The incidence of RTIs was greater in the control group than in the ERAS group among patients who spent more than 2 d in the hospital before surgery ( P = 0.029).

CONCLUSION: ERAS-based respiratory function training may reduce the risk of pulmonary complications in older individuals undergoing abdominal surgery.