To evaluate the clinical value of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in the perioperative period for patients undergoing radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

In this prospective study, 35 patients undergoing radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in the Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from August 2016 to August 2019 were recruited. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. Among them, 22 cases were male and 13 female, aged 49-74 years with a median age of 62 years. The patients were divided into the ERAS group and control group according to different interventions during perioperative period. Postoperative recovery and complications were observed between two groups. The length of hospital stay and the 15-item Quality of Recovery questionnaire (QoR-15) score were statistically compared between two groups by t test. The incidence of postoperative complications was analyzed by Fisher's exact probability test.

In the ERAS group, postoperative anal exhaust time, the length of postoperative hospital stay and total hospitalization expense were (32±9) h,(13.9±2.8) d, (5.7±0.6)×104 yuan, significantly less than (43±14) h, (15.6±4.2) d and (6.7±0.7)×104 yuan in the control group (t=-2.762, -1.389, -3.157; P<0.05). In the ERAS group, the QoR-15 scores at postoperative 3 and 5 d were 75±16 and 128±8, significantly higher than 63±11 and 112±16 in the control group (t=2.772, 3.912; P<0.05). 3 cases of pleural effusion and 4 of lower limb deep vein thrombosis were observed in ERAS group, and accordingly 9, 4 cases in control group (P=0.044, 0.039).

ERAS measures in the perioperative period can effectively shorten the length of hospital stay, reduce hospitalization expense, lower the risk of postoperative complications and accelerate rapid recovery of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.