The control group received conventional perioperative care. This included routine preoperative education, fasting for 12 hours and no oral intake for 6 hours preoperatively, standard intraoperative fluid administration, postoperative patient-controlled analgesia pump, ambulation guided by traditional instructions (typically 1-2 days postoperatively), and initiation of liquid diet after passing flatus.

In addition to conventional care, the ERAS group received a comprehensive intervention protocol based on ERAS principles, implemented by a dedicated ERAS nursing team. Details are as follows:

Preoperative interventions: (1) Enhanced education and prehabilitation: Detailed explanation of the ERAS pathway, VTE and lymphedema prevention using graphics and videos. Instruction on ankle pump exercises and quadriceps isometric contractions. (2) Nutritional support: Nutritional risk assessment and provision of oral nutritional supplements if necessary. (3) Fasting management: No solid food for 6 hours, clear oral fluids (e.g., 200 mL of 10% glucose solution) allowed up to 2 hours preoperatively.

Intraoperative interventions: (1) Thermoregulation: Use of forced-air warming blankets and fluid warmers to maintain core temperature > 36°C. (2) Restrictive fluid management: Goal-directed fluid therapy to avoid excessive infusion. (3) Minimally invasive and meticulous surgery: Encouragement of lapar

In addition to conventional care, the ERAS group received a comprehensive intervention protocol based on ERAS principles, implemented by a dedicated ERAS nursing team. Details are as follows:

Preoperative interventions: (1) Enhanced education and prehabilitation: Detailed explanation of the ERAS pathway, VTE and lymphedema prevention using graphics and videos. Instruction on ankle pump exercises and quadriceps isometric contractions. (2) Nutritional support: Nutritional risk assessment and provision of oral nutritional supplements if necessary. (3) Fasting management: No solid food for 6 hours, clear oral fluids (e.g., 200 mL of 10% glucose solution) allowed up to 2 hours preoperatively.

Intraoperative interventions: (1) Thermoregulation: Use of forced-air warming blankets and fluid warmers to maintain core temperature > 36°C. (2) Restrictive fluid management: Goal-directed fluid therapy to avoid excessive infusion. (3) Minimally invasive and meticulous surgery: Encouragement of laparo

Composite incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities and pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT is diagnosed by bilateral lower extremity venous color Doppler ultrasonography performed on postoperative day 3, before discharge, and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively or when clinically indicated. PE is evaluated by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) when clinically suspected.

Diagnosis based on International Society of Lymphology criteria (Grade I: pitting edema relieved by elevation; Grade II: non-pitting edema with tissue fibrosis; Grade III: elephantiasis). Measured by bilateral calf circumference (thickest point) and thigh circumference (15 cm above patella).