Enhanced recovery after surgery pathways in thoracic surgery, do they end at discharge?

Abstract

Fast track pulmonary resection protocols have shown to be feasible and to improve hospital related costs, shortening length of stay and maintaining quality of care (1-4). Despite the increasing number of scientific literature addressing the benefits of specific lobectomy pathways (4,5) and the recent publication of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS®) guidelines in thoracic surgery (4-6) the truth is that the description of most of these interventions ends at patients’ discharge, with no clear indications for follow up or measures to prevent unintended hospital readmissions (2,3)