Effects of early mobilization protocol on postoperative mobility, pulmonary complications, and physical function in patients undergoing open esophagectomy: a retrospective study

<p>Objective: Open thoracic esophagectomy for patients with esophageal cancer is highly invasive and is reportedly associated with delayed postoperative mobilization. Our hospital introduced an early mobilization protocol from April 2019 to standardize early mobilization in the intensive care unit. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the early mobilization protocol on postoperative mobilization, respiratory complications, and physical function at hospital discharge in patients after open thoracic esophagectomy.</p><p>Methods: Thirty-nine patients who underwent open thoracic esophagectomy were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the early mobilization protocol group (patients operated after the introduction of the early mobilization protocol) and the conventional group (patients operated before the introduction of the early mobilization protocol). The patients’ background, postoperative course, and physical function at hospital discharge were compared between both groups.</p><p>Results: The early mobilization protocol group had a shorter duration of ventilator use [49.0 (40.3-63.7) vs. 73.8 (51.2-75.9) hours], and the commencement of sitting [2 (1.5-3) vs. 4 (3-5)days], standing [3 (1.5-3) vs. 5 (3.3-6.0) days], and walking [4 (2-5) vs. 6 (5-7) days] were significantly reduced compared with those of the conventional group.</p><p>Conclusion: After open thoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, the early mobilization protocol may reduce the number of days before mobilization and the duration of ventilator use after surgery.</p>