Efficacy of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) Protocols in Lumbar Microdiscectomy Surgery

Aim: This study aimed to asses the efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in the lumbar discectomy surgeries. Methods: Data obtained from 92 patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy surgery at a single institution between January 2021 and January 2023. Then, the patients were divided into two groups: ERAS protocol group (n=60), and conventional surgery group (n=32). Results: The mean age of the patients was 49.4±14 years. Among these, 31 were females, and 61 were males. The demographic, surgical and outcome parameters of two groups were compared. There were statistically significant decreases in length of stay and spondylodiscitis rates in the ERAS protocol group. Length of stay was found 25.52±12.53 hours in ERAS group, and 34±20.06 hours in conventional surgery group (p=0.002). Spondylodiscitis rates were 3.3% and 15.6% in the ERAS and conventional surgery groups, respectively (p=0.034). Conclusions: This study revealed that ERAS protocol reduces length of stay in hospital, and spondylodiscitis rates in lumbar microdiscectomy surgery. We conclude that ERAS protocols should be encouraged and applied more widely in spine surgeries.