Recovery protocols for the prevention of pulmonary complications: A systematic review with meta-analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v27i7.1264Keywords:
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery; Postoperative Complications; Thoracic Surgical Procedures.Abstract
Introduction: Postoperative pulmonary complications are important causes of morbidity and mortality following lung surgery and are associated with prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and impaired functional recovery. In this context, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols comprise multimodal strategies designed to reduce surgical stress and optimize postoperative recovery. Objective: To evaluate the effects of ERAS protocols on the prevention of pulmonary complications in adult patients undergoing lung surgery compared with conventional perioperative care. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was carried out in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online) and LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature) databases, covering studies published between 2021 and 2026. Randomised clinical trials comparing ERAS protocols with conventional care in patients undergoing lung resection were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of bias (RoB 2) tool. Results: Three randomized clinical trials were included, totaling 943 patients, of whom 490 received ERAS-based interventions and 453 received conventional care. The incidence of pulmonary complications was significantly lower in the ERAS group, with a relative risk reduction of 52% (RR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.34-0.68; p < 0.001). Conclusion: ERAS protocols significantly reduce postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing lung surgery, representing a safe and effective strategy to optimize perioperative recovery.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Layza Lopes da Silva, Júlio César Alcântara de Deus, Filipe Marques de Souza, Ester Priscila de Melo Fonseca, Lorena Araujo Miranda (Autor)
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