# Nursing-led multidisciplinary ERAS collaboration improves early recovery after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer: a retrospective cohort study

## TL;DR

A nursing-led multidisciplinary approach improved early recovery after prostate cancer surgery, with faster recovery times and fewer complications.

## Contribution

A nursing-led PMNC model was implemented and shown to enhance postoperative recovery after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

## Key findings

- PMNC reduced time to ambulation, catheter removal, and hospital stay compared to standard care.
- The PMNC group had significantly lower urinary incontinence at discharge and lower pain scores.
- Multivariate analysis confirmed PMNC as an independent protective factor for early continence.

## Abstract

Postoperative recovery after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) is influenced by perioperative nursing care. Therefore, this retrospective study aimed to compare outcomes from nursing-led perioperative multidisciplinary nursing collaboration based on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (PMNC) with standard care in 235 patients undergoing LRP for localized prostate cancer.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 235 patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing LRP at a tertiary hospital in Southwest China. Patients received either standard care (n = 115, routine perioperative nursing in 2020–2021) or PMNC (n = 120, implemented in 2022), which comprised eight structured ERAS-based interventions delivered jointly by nurses, anesthesiologists, and urologists. Primary outcomes were time to ambulation, catheter removal, urinary incontinence at discharge, and hospital stay; secondary outcomes included pain at 24/48 h, complications, 30-day readmission, and time to oral intake. Outcomes were compared using t-tests, Mann–Whitney U, chi-square, or Fisher’s exact tests, with significance set at P < 0.05.

The PMNC group showed significantly earlier ambulation (14.1 vs. 17.8 h, P < 0.001), earlier catheter removal (4.4 vs. 5.4 days, P < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (5.2 vs. 6.1 days, P < 0.001), and lower incontinence at discharge (32.5% vs. 56.5%, P < 0.001). Pain scores were also lower at 24 h (P < 0.001) and 48 h (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed PMNC as an independent protective factor for early continence (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.28–0.80, P = 0.005).

A structured PMNC model was associated with improved early recovery after LRP, including faster mobilization, earlier catheter removal, lower incontinence rates, shorter hospitalization, and reduced pain.