The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program helps patients recover faster and better postoperatively. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of the ERAS program after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs).
We enrolled patients with OVCF who had undergone PKP between January 2019 and June 2021 and divided them into the control group (CG; n = 296), without the ERAS program, and the intervention group (IG; n = 306), with the ERAS program. The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Barthel Index scores of the two groups were compared on admission and 2 days and 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Perioperative evaluation parameters included the mean surgery time, length of stay (LOS), and hospitalization expenses. In addition, postoperative complications were compared.
Regarding perioperative parameters, LOS and hospitalization expenses were significantly better in IG than in CG (p 0.05). The VAS, Barthel Index, and ODI scores were significantly better in IG than in CG at 2 days and 1 month postoperatively (p < 0.001). None of the clinical effectiveness parameters (VAS, Barthel Index, and ODI scores) differed between IG and CG at 6 or 12 months postoperatively. In addition, 141 patients in CG and 56 patients in IG experienced postoperative complications, including pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, nausea and vomiting, and re-fracture (p = 0.970, p = 0.036, p < 0.001, p = 0.002 respectively).
For patients undergoing PKP, the ERAS program is a reliable and effective perioperative management method that can effectively reduce LOS, postoperative pain, and economic burden and promote recovery of patients.

Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.