Fast track--different implications in pancreatic surgery

Abstract

Concepts in "fast-track" surgery, which provide optimal perioperative care, have been proven to significantly reduce complication rates and decrease hospital stay. This study explores whether fast-track concepts can also be safely applied and improve the outcomes of major pancreatic resections. Perioperative data from 255 consecutive patients, who underwent pancreatic resection by means of fast-track surgery in a high-volume medical center, were analyzed using univariate and multivariate models. Of the 255 patients, 180 received a pancreatic head resection and 51 received distal, 15 received total, and 9 received segmental pancreatectomies. The patients were discharged on median day 10 with a 30-day readmission rate of 3.5%. The in-hospital mortality was 2%, whereas medical and surgical morbidities were 17 and 25%, respectively. Fast-track parameters, such as first stools, normal food, complete mobilization, and return to normal ward, correlated significantly with early discharge (p < 0.05). Patients' age, operation time, and early extubation proved to be independent factors of early discharge, shown through multivariate analysis (odds ratio: 4.0, 2.0, and 2.8, respectively; p < 0.05). Low readmission, mortality, and morbidity rates demonstrate that fast-track surgery is in fact feasible and safe and promotes earlier discharge without compromising patient outcomes.