Effect of enhanced recovery after surgery under a comprehensive nursing framework on urinary continence and quality of life in prostate cancer patients

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), implemented within a comprehensive nursing framework. We focused on its effect on urinary continence, erectile function, and quality of life in prostate cancer patients during the perioperative period. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 105 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in our hospital between June 2020 and June 2021. Patients were retrospectively allocated based on nursing records: the observation group (n = 55) received ERAS nursing under a comprehensive nursing framework, and a control group (n = 50) received conventional nursing care. Differences in urinary continence, erectile function, postoperative pain outcomes, and quality of life were compared between the two groups. Results: At 1-year post-surgery, the observation group exhibited a significantly lower International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICI-Q-SF) score and higher International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score than the control group (p < 0.05). Within the observation group, the subgroup that underwent early, standardized pelvic floor muscle training demonstrated lower ICI-Q-SF scores and significantly higher IIEF-5 scores than the non-standardized training subgroup (p < 0.05). At postoperative days 3, 7, and 14, the observation group’s pain scores were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). Among the observation group patients, those receiving ERAS reported significantly lower pain scores than those who received conventional analgesia (p < 0.05). At 1 year after nursing, the observation group showed higher functional domains and overall health scores, lower symptom scores, and fewer complications compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Incorporating an ERAS program into a comprehensive nursing framework for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy significantly improves urinary continence and erectile function. It also alleviates postoperative pain, enhances quality of life, and reduces complications.

Enhanced recovery after surgery; Comprehensive nursing; Prostate cancer; Prostate function

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