To explore the application of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis.

From May 2014 to April 2017, seventy-one patients with hepatolithiasis underwent laparoscopic surgery in Langzhong People’s Hospital were randomly divided into two groups: ERAS group (36 cases, perioperative management of ERAS strategy) and control group (35 cases, perioperative management according to traditional methods). The perioperative indicators were compared between the two groups. The blood levels of PCT, IL-6, CRP, WBC were measured before operation and 3 days after operation. Postoperative complications and prognosis were also evaluated.

Compared with the control group, the first time of getting out of bed, the time of anal exhaust, defecation, removing T tube, abdominal drainage, hospitalization and the costs of hospitalization were significantly decreased in ERAS group (all P<0.05). The serum levels of PCT, IL-6, CRP and WBC in ERAS group were lower than those in the control group at 3 days after operation (all P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications in ERAS group was significantly lower than that of the control group (χ²=6.604, P=0.010). After 10-32 (17.4±4.2) months’ follow-up, there was no significant difference in reoperation rate between the two groups (χ²=0.378, P=0.539).

The application of ERAS strategy in hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis is beneficial to accelerate the recovery time of postoperative organ function, save hospitalization costs, reduce stress response and do not reduce the long-term curative effect, which is safe and feasible and has clinical popularization value.