Cardiothoracic Transplant Surgery and Enhanced Recovery: Recent Advances and Perspectives
This review explores emerging ERAS strategies in cardiothoracic transplantation, highlighting chest drain management as a key driver of recovery. Evidence supports early chest tube removal—ideally by postoperative day one—to facilitate respiratory rehabilitation, reduce pulmonary complications, and enable early mobilization. Integrated with opioid‑sparing analgesia and structured physiotherapy, optimized chest drain protocols may shorten hospital stay and improve functional recovery in this high‑risk transplant population.
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