title: 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.
authors: Department of General Surgery and Department of Anesthesia, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: P O
authors: PO
authors: Berberat
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Ingold
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gulbinas
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Kleeff
authors: M W
authors: MW
authors: Müller
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Gutt
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Weigand
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Friess
authors: M W
authors: MW
authors: Büchler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors