A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Outcomes of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Program With Non-ERAS Care in Patients Undergoing Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLIF)

Currently, the effectiveness of the ERAS has been widely confirmed in patients undergoing colorectal resection, and it has been verified to reduce length of hospital stay and complications. However, the ERAS protocol for lumbar fusion surgery is based on a few retrospective studies and remains a consensus statement. Recent retrospective studies targeting patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery reported that implementing ERAS could accelerate post-operative functional recovery and reduce hospital stay. However, there is still a lack of high-quality evidence based on prospective studies.

Lumbar fusion surgery is known for potentially leading to severe postoperative pain, which poses challenges in consistently applying ERAS components, such as early ambulation or active oral feeding, after surgery. In light of this, the present study aims to validate the non-inferiority of pain levels at discharge within the ERAS group and to reconfirm the effects of ERAS as observed in retrospective studies.

Patients admitted for OLIF will be consecutively screened for eligibility. A computer-generated block randomization will be executed at a 1:1 ratio. In the ERAS group, patients will receive comprehensive education about the treatment process, and a clinical pathway that includes active ambulation and pain control will be protocolized and implemented. Should non-inferiority be demonstrated in both intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses, non-inferiority will be declared.