ObjectiveTo assess the effect of prolonged oxygen inhalation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) on early postoperative rehabilitation in elderly patients.MethodsPatients who underwent primary unilateral THA from June to December 2018 were divided into a conventional oxygen inhalation group (control group) and a prolonged oxygen inhalation group (trial group) according to a random number table. The control group received oxygen inhalation via a single nasal catheter from their return to the ward after surgery until 08:00 a.m. on the first day postoperatively. In addition to routine oxygen inhalation, the trial group received oxygen inhalation during the rehabilitation exercise in bed and before half an hour of floor activities on the first and second day after operation. Oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, pain, fatigue score, hip mobility and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were recorded and analyzed at 24 and 48 hours after surgery.ResultsA total of 60 patients were included finally, 30 patients in each group. At 24 and 48 h after surgery, the differences were statistically significant in the respiratory rate [(20.30±1.20) vs. (21.40±1.04) breaths per minute, (18.87±1.14) vs. (22.03±0.85) breaths per minute], oxygen saturation [(94.70±2.34)% vs. (90.60±0.73)%, (96.40±1.81)% vs. (91.20±0.85)%］, abduction angles of hip joint [(33.50±5.44) vs. (29.31±5.30)°, (38.67±2.60) vs. (33.00±4.84)°], pain scores (3.03±1.27 vs. 5.07±1.14, 1.43±0.97 vs. 3.60±1.13) and fatigue scores (4.17±1.34 vs. 8.20±0.61, 3.23±1.38 vs. 7.43±1.19) between the trial group and control group (P<0.05). PSQI scores (2.20±0.76 vs. 3.97±0.76) on the first day after surgery, and hip flexion [(105.17±4.82) vs. (99.50±2.40)°] , heart rate [(72.86± 6.38) vs. (79.40±3.97) beats per minute], diastolic blood pressure [(71.43±10.24）vs. (77.57±4.59) mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)] at 48 h after surgery in the trial group were better than the those in control group (P<0.05).ConclusionCompared with conventional oxygen inhalation, prolonged oxygen inhalation after THA in elderly patients can improve postoperative pain, fatigue, sleep and hip function.