[Elective colon resection in Germany. A survey of the perioperative anesthesiological management].
BACKGROUND
Fast-track rehabilitation after elective colon resection is an interdisciplinary multimodal procedure, which combines surgical and anesthesiological aspects. This leads to an improved and accelerated recovery and avoids perioperative complications. This survey focuses on the extent and use of such concepts in Germany.


METHODS
In January 2006, a questionnaire was sent to 1270 anesthesiology departments in Germany in which they were asked to describe the standard anesthesia procedures based on a conventional sigmoid resection.


RESULTS
The response rate was 385 out of 1270 (30.3%). Preoperative fasting of solid food 12 h before the operation was practiced in 52% and for 6 h in 44% of the clinics. For fluid intake the fasting time was 6 h in 47% and 2 h in 41%. Prophylactic measures for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were administered in 33% of clinics. Propofol (68%) was the leading narcotic, fentanyl (56%) and sufentanil (48%) were the most commonly used intraoperative analgesics and 75% of clinics used epidural analgesia.


CONCLUSIONS
In Germany the anesthesiological treatment after elective colon surgery adheres broadly to the evidence-based recommendations for fast-track concepts.
Hasenberg
T
T
Chirurgische Universitätsklinik, Klinikum Mannheim gGmbH, Mannheim, Deutschland. till.hasenberg@chir.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
Niedergethmann
M
M
Rittler
P
P
Post
S
S
Jauch
K W
KW
Senkal
M
M
Spies
C
C
Schwenk
W
W
Shang
E
E
D000758:Anesthesia; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003625:Data Collection; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005283:Fentanyl; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D010092:Oximetry; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011182:Postoperative Care; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000517:prevention & control; D015742:Propofol; D017409:Sufentanil; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D017409:Sufentanil; D005283:Fentanyl; D015742:Propofol