Effect of Fast-Track Surgery Based on Nutritional Support in the Rehabilitation of Patients Undergoing Radical Thyroidectomy and Lateral Lymphadenectomy: A Retrospective Analysis.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of fast-track surgery (FTS), based on nutritional support, on postoperative rehabilitation and nutritional status in patients undergoing radical thyroidectomy and lateral lymphadenectomy.

Methods: This retrospective study included 112 patients who underwent radical thyroid cancer surgery and lateral neck lymph node dissection at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between April 2021 and April 2023. Based on various nursing methods, patients were divided into two groups, with 58 patients included in the observation group (FTS care based on nutritional support), and 54 patients in the control group (routine perioperative care). Postoperative clinical indicators, nutritional status, Quality of Life, associated complications, and follow-up outcomes at 3 and 12 months were compared between the two groups.

Results: Patients in the observation group showed significantly shorter meal times, hospital stays, and off-bed time compared to the control group (p < 0.05). After three months of intervention, the observation group had higher body weight, muscle mass, and body fat, and lower Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) scores compared to the control group (p < 0.05). At the 12-month follow-up, the observation group had better nutritional status indicators than the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the observation group exhibited higher Quality of Life scores (p < 0.001) and reduced incidence of delayed complications (p < 0.05). During the three-month follow-up, the observation group demonstrated higher Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) score compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the overall incidence of complications was significantly lower in the observation group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: FTS nursing based on nutritional support effectively promotes postoperative recovery, improves nutritional status, and enhances Quality of Life in patients following radical thyroidectomy and lateral lymphadenectomy, which is worthy of being widely popularized.