PURPOSE: Fast-track (enhanced recovery) care pathways for colonic surgery are becoming increasingly popular; however, there have been concerns regarding protocol compliance, high readmission rates, and also the true impact on morbidity rates with these protocols. This study was conducted to assess the impact of a fast-track program for colonic surgery on hospital stay, complications, and readmission rates. METHODS: From December 2005 to March 2007, consecutive patients undergoing colonic surgery were prospectively studied. The comparison group consisted of a comorbidity-matched group of patients who had undergone similar surgery before establishment of the fast-track program. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included in each group. Groups were comparable at baseline. The fast-track group received significantly smaller amounts of intraoperative and postoperative intravenous fluids, were fed earlier, mobilized earlier, passed flatus earlier, and were discharged earlier than the comparison group (4 vs. 6.5 days, P < 0.001). The numbers of patients with urinary infections (2 vs. 12, P = 0.008), ileus (5 vs. 18, P = 0.005), and cardiopulmonary complications (11 vs. 21, P = 0.032) were significantly lower in the fast-track group. There was no difference in the rate of readmission. CONCLUSION: Fast-track is a safe and effective approach for reducing hospital stay and morbidity following major colonic surgery.
PURPOSE: Fast-track (enhanced recovery) care pathways for colonic surgery are becoming increasingly popular; however, there have been concerns regarding protocol compliance, high readmission rates, and also the true impact on morbidity rates with these protocols. This study was conducted to assess the impact of a fast-track program for colonic surgery on hospital stay, complications, and readmission rates. METHODS: From December 2005 to March 2007, consecutive patients undergoing colonic surgery were prospectively studied. The comparison group consisted of a comorbidity-matched group of patients who had undergone similar surgery before establishment of the fast-track program. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included in each group. Groups were comparable at baseline. The fast-track group received significantly smaller amounts of intraoperative and postoperative intravenous fluids, were fed earlier, mobilized earlier, passed flatus earlier, and were discharged earlier than the comparison group (4 vs. 6.5 days, P < 0.001). The numbers of patients with urinary infections (2 vs. 12, P = 0.008), ileus (5 vs. 18, P = 0.005), and cardiopulmonary complications (11 vs. 21, P = 0.032) were significantly lower in the fast-track group. There was no difference in the rate of readmission. CONCLUSION: Fast-track is a safe and effective approach for reducing hospital stay and morbidity following major colonic surgery.
Authors: C Suzanne Cutter; Steven R Kelly; Peter W Marcello; John E Mahoney; Lindsay E Nicolle; Robin S McLeod Journal: Can J Surg Date: 2011-06 Impact factor: 2.089
Authors: Sjoerd H W van Bree; Andrea Nemethova; Cathy Cailotto; Pedro J Gomez-Pinilla; Gianluca Matteoli; Guy E Boeckxstaens Journal: Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2012-07-17 Impact factor: 46.802
Authors: Belinda Sánchez-Pérez; José Manuel Aranda-Narváez; Miguel Angel Suárez-Muñoz; Moises Eladel-Delfresno; José Luis Fernández-Aguilar; Jose Antonio Pérez-Daga; Ysabel Pulido-Roa; Julio Santoyo-Santoyo Journal: World J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2012-11-27