TITLE:
Innovative Application and Efficacy Validation of Zhuang Medicine Hot-Compress Therapy in ERAS Nursing for Spinal Endoscope-Assisted ACDF
AUTHORS:
Chunmei Pang, Dongying Qin, Hu Huang, Meina Liang
KEYWORDS:
Zhuang Medicine Hot-Compress Therapy, Endoscope, Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy, Postoperative Nursing, Enhanced Recovery after Surgery
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.11,
November
12,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To investigate the clinical application and efficacy validation of Zhuang medicine hot-compress therapy in postoperative nursing care within an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) framework for patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) undergoing spinal endoscope-assisted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. A total of 68 patients with CSM who underwent endoscope-assisted ACDF at the Department of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Yulin Orthopedic Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, from June 2023 to December 2024, were enrolled. Based on their informed and voluntary choice after receiving routine postoperative care, patients who additionally received Zhuang medicine hot-compress therapy were assigned to the observation group (n = 37), whereas those who received routine postoperative nursing alone were assigned to the control group (n = 31); no randomization was performed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for neck pain and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were compared between the two groups preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Nursing satisfaction was also assessed at 1 week after surgery. Results: No significant differences were found in preoperative VAS or JOA scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 1 week post-intervention, the observation group had a significantly lower VAS score (2.0 ± 0.7) than the control group (3.3 ± 1.0) (t = 6.18, P χ2 = 4.16, P 0.05) or JOA scores (15.7 ± 1.1 vs. 15.6 ± 1.2, t = 0.35, P > 0.05). Conclusion: The application of Zhuang medicine hot-compress therapy in postoperative nursing within an ERAS nursing framework for endoscope-assisted ACDF in CSM patients can effectively relieve pain, improve cervical spinal function, and enhance patient satisfaction. This therapy demonstrates significant advantages in the early postoperative period (from 1 week to 1 month) and facilitates accelerated rehabilitation.