A retrospective cohort study on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in patients with diabetic foot ulcer

Abstract

Abstract Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) has been successfully integrated into a diverse array of surgical fields to improve the quality and efficacy of treatment intervention. Nonetheless, the application of the ERAS protocol for patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) subsequent to undergoing surgical procedures has not been previously explored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of an enhanced recovery protocol on perioperative outcomes in patients with DFU following surgical procedures. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 112 patients with DFU who underwent surgery between January 2020 and December 2021 at a tertiary referral care center. In total, 57 patients received standard perioperative care (the non-ERAS group), and 55 patients received ERAS care (the ERAS group). The primary outcomes included the length of stay (LOS), wound healing time, patient satisfaction, and costs, serving as the basis for assessing the effectiveness of the two approaches. Secondary outcomes included preoperative anxiety (APAIS score), nutritional status (PG-SGA), pain (NRS score), the incidence of lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the reduction in lower-limb circumference, and the activity of daily living scale (Barthel Index). The ERAS group exhibited significantly shorter LOS (11.36 vs. 26.74 days; P 0.05). By reducing the LOS and hospital costs, and by minimizing perioperative complications, the ERAS protocol improves the quality and efficacy of treatment intervention in patients with DFU who underwent surgical procedures. Trial registration number: ChiCTR 2200064223 (Registration Date: 30/09/2022).

Keywords

• Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)
• Diabetic foot ulcer
• Surgery
• Rehabilitation
• Recovery