Effect of implementing enhanced recovery after surgery principles in the perioperative period of pediatric inguinal hernia

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of implementing enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) principles in the perioperative period of pediatric inguinal hernia (IH). Methods: In this prospective study, 98 children undergoing surgery for IH in our hospital were randomly divided into the control group (n=49, routine nursing) and the study group (n=49, nursing care with ERAS principles). The anesthesia recovery period, time from end of surgery to first ambulation and to first anal exhaust, length of hospital stay, mental state before and after the intervention, pain level, incidence of complications, and family satisfaction with the nursing care were compared between the two groups. The recurrence rate of IH within half a year was recorded. Results: Compared with the control group, the time from the end of surgery to first ambulation and to first anal exhaust and the length of hospital stay were shorter in the study group (all P<0.05). After the nursing intervention, both groups achieved better scores in mental state and pain level, and the improvement in the study group in mental state and pain level was greater than that in the control group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the study group had higher family satisfaction with the nursing care and lower incidence of complications during hospitalization (both P<0.05). During the half-year follow-up, no recurrence was observed in both groups. Conclusion: The implementation of ERAS principles in the perioperative period of pediatric IH can help to relieve postoperative pain, reduce psychological discomfort, reduce the incidence of complications, and promote postoperative recovery in children.