Objectives: To evaluate whether ERAS is feasible and beneficial in elderly patients undergoing VATS lobectomy for lung cancer.
Methods: From February 2016 to March 2019, 182 patients were included into a 17-items ERAS pathway. Patients were divided into two groups according to age: Group A (< 75 years) 138 patients and Group B (≥ 75 years) 44 patients. End points were: length of stay (LoS), 30-day morbidity, 90-day mortality, 30-day re-admittance rate, and ERAS-score (number of ERAS objectives achieved).
Results: Elderly patients had significantly more chronic renal failure (p = 0.039) and a worse pulmonary function. Mean FEV1% was 101.6% (± 21.0% SD) and 90.8% (± 19.1% SD) and mean FEV1/FVC was 0.75 (± 0.10 SD) and 0.68 (± 0.12 SD) for group A and B, respectively (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01). Median LoS was longer in Group B (6 days) than in Group A (5 days; p = 0.006). Morbidity was higher for elderly patients (A 32.6% vs B 56.8%; p = 0.007), major complication rates were similar (p = 0.782). No post-operative mortality was observed, re-admittance rates were similar (A 7.8% vs B 11.5%; p = 0.548). Mean ERAS-scores were 13.8 (± 1.83 SD) for Group A and 13.4 (± 1.98 SD) for Group B (p = 0.240). Multivariable analysis showed previous major surgery (p = 0.028), COPD (p = 0.027), history of arrhythmic disease (p = 0.015), post-operative complications (p < 0.001), and ERAS-score (p < 0.001) as independent predictive factors of LoS, age did not significantly influence LoS.
Conclusions: Elderly patients adhere to an ERAS protocol similarly to younger ones. ERAS pathway in VATS lobectomy patients seems to be beneficial regardless the age.
Keywords: ERAS; Elderly; Lobectomy; Lung cancer; VATS.