title: Fast-track rehabilitation program vs conventional care after colorectal resection: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the fast-track rehabilitation program and conventional care for patients after resection of colorectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and six consecutive patients who underwent fast-track rehabilitation program were encouraged to have early oral feeding and movement for early discharge, while 104 consecutive patients underwent conventional care after resection of colorectal cancer. Their gastrointestinal functions, postoperative complications and hospital stay time were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The restoration time of gastrointestinal functions in the patients was significantly faster after fast-track rehabilitation program than after conventional care (2.1 d vs 3.2 d, P<0.01). The percentage of patients who developed complications was significantly lower 30 d after fast-track rehabilitation program than after conventional care (13.2% vs 26.9%, P<0.05). Also, the percentage of patients who had general complications was significantly lower 30 d after fast-track rehabilitation program than after conventional care (6.6% vs 15.4%, P<0.05). The postoperative hospital stay time of the patients was shorter after fast-track rehabilitation program than after conventional care (5 d vs 7 d, P<0.01). No significant difference was observed in the re-admission rate 30 d after fast-track rehabilitation program and conventional care (3.8% vs 8.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fast-track rehabilitation program can significantly decrease the complications and shorten the time of postoperative hospital stay of patients after resection colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of General Surgery, Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhi-Wei
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Jian-Feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Li-Fei
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Jie-Shou
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003082:Colectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome