Foundation and Practice of Digital Traditional Chinese Medicine Platforms in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery

Abstract

This review explores the integration of complexity science—specifically, the biological holographic phenomenon and chaos-fractal theory—with the fundamental principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to optimize perioperative recovery. It examines how these theories provide a scientific foundation for developing a digital TCM diagnosis and treatment platform. Key topics discussed include the application of digital four-diagnosis technology, visualization of perioperative Yin-Yang states, and artificial intelligence-driven biomarker discovery. By quantifying and digitizing core TCM concepts, this approach enables their incorporation into Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols. Ultimately, the review highlights the potential of integrating TCM with Western medicine to advance personalized postoperative management, offering both theoretical insights and practical strategies for improving perioperative care.

Keywords

Digital traditional Chinese medicine / Perioperative period / Enhanced recovery after surgery / Complexity science / Postoperative monitoring / Personalized medicine / Syndrome differentiation

Acknowledgments

None.

Funding

This study was financially supported by the China Medical Educa-tion Association 2022 Major Scientific Research Topics (Number: 2022KTZ005) and Jiangsu Province 14th Five-Year Medical Key Discipline: Traditional Chinese Surgery (Number: ZDXK202251).

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest related to this publication.

Author contributions

Conceptualization, investigation, writing - original draft (XZ), conceptualization, methodology (GG), resources, visualization (ZJ), conceptualization, supervision, and writing - review & edit-ing (HJ). All authors have approved the final version and publica-tion of the manuscript.

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