title: Recovery after laparoscopic colonic surgery with epidural analgesia, and early oral nutrition and mobilisation.
abstract: The rate of postoperative recovery is determined by pain, stress-induced organ dysfunction, and limitations in conventional postoperative care. We attempted to provide "stress-free" colonic resection for neoplastic disease in eight elderly high-risk patients by a combination of laparoscopically assisted surgery, epidural analgesia, and early oral nutrition and mobilisation. Effective pain relief allowed early mobilisation, and hospital stay was reduced to 2 days without nausea, vomiting, or ileus. Postoperative fatigue and impairment in functional activity were avoided. Major advances in postoperative recovery can be achieved by early aggressive perioperative care in elderly high-risk patients undergoing colonic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bardram
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Funch-Jensen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kehlet
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004434:Early Ambulation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications
chemical_list: D002045:Bupivacaine