The efficacy of Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures received surgery: study protocol for a randomized, blinded, controlled trial

Background: Intertrochanteric fracture (ITF) is increasing with the rapid increase in the aging population, often causes a high mortality rate in old patients and increases the economic burden of the family and society. ERAS (Enhanced Recovery after Surgery) is a powerful guarantee for patients to accelerate their recovery after surgery. TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) promote repair of injured tissues and eliminate traumatic aseptic inflammation. Therefore, this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the clinical effect of the evidence-based ERAS pathway of integrating TCM with and western medicine on perioperative outcomes in ITF patients undergoing intramedullary fixation, and provide reliable evidence-based data for applying the program to clinical practice. Methods/design: We will conduct a prospective randomized, blinded, controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of ERAS care pathway with traditional care pathway, and to investigate whether the ERAS care pathway can improve the perioperative outcome in ITF patients undergoing intramedullary fixation. A total of 60 patients with ITF will be enrolled and treated with the two care pathway, respectively. Length of stay, economic indicators, Harris score, VAS score, time get out of bed, 30-day readmission rates, postoperative transfusion rates, discharge to home and mortality will be evaluated. Any signs of acute adverse reactions will be recorded at each visit during treatment. Discussion: Although an evidence-based process using the best available literature and Delphi expert-opinion method has been used to establish an ERAS pathway of integrating TCM with western medicine. But, there is a lack of consensus about its effectiveness. This trial will provide convincing evidence about the effect of ERAS pathway Trial registration: Registered on 12 Oct 2019; Trial number is ChiCTR190t0026487 Keywords: intertrochanteric fracture; enhanced recovery after surgery; perioperative period; integrating TCM with and western medicine; randomized controlled trial