Effects of Early Mobilization and Feeding After Lobectomy

This randomized controlled study evaluates the effects of early mobilization and early oral feeding, two components of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, on postoperative outcomes in adult patients with lung cancer undergoing lobectomy at Ege University Hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. In addition to standard postoperative care, participants in the intervention group received an ERAS-based protocol consisting of sitting at the bedside approximately 5.5 hours after surgery, beginning mobilization at 6 hours, and walking at least 100 meters when clinically stable and approved by the surgical team. Oral water intake was started at 6 hours, followed by a full liquid diet at 7 hours and gradual transition to a regular diet at 12 hours if tolerated. Participants in the control group received the clinic's standard postoperative care. The study compares postoperative pain, complications, chest tube duration, length of hospital stay, reoperation, readmission within 30 days, nutritional status, laboratory findings, and quality of life between the two groups. Participants are followed for up to three months after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older Diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of lung cancer Scheduled to undergo lobectomy Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1 Voluntary agreement to participate and ability to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Requirement for emergency surgery Metastatic disease Severe uncontrolled comorbid disease, including cardiac, renal, or hepatic failure Requirement for mechanical ventilation for 24 hours or longer History of cranial trauma Requirement for prolonged bed rest Local peripheral neuropathy or central nervous system disease Cognitive or communication impairment