title: Fast-track protocols in devascularization for cirrhotic portal hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  fast-tract surgery (FTS) has been rapidly embraced by surgeons as a mechanism for improving patient care and driving down complications and costs. The aim of this study was to determine if any improvement in outcomes occurred after FTS protocol for selective double portazygous disconnection with preserving vagus (SDPDPV) compared with non-FTS postoperative care.
  
  
  METHODS
  patients eligible for SDPDPV in the period January 2012-April 2014 were randomly selected for the FTS group or non-FTS group. A designed protocol was used in the FTS group with emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach. The non-FTS group was treated using previously established standard procedures. The number of postoperative complications, time of functional recovery and duration of hospital stay were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  patients in the FTS group (n=59) and non-FTS group (n=57) did not differ in terms of preoperative data and operative details (p>0.05). The FTS procedure led to significantly better control and faster restoration of gastrointestinal functions, food tolerance, rehabilitation and hospital discharge (p<0.05). Postoperative complications, including nausea/vomiting, severe ascites, wound infection, urinary tract infection and pulmonary infection were all significantly lower in the FTS group (p<0.05). According to the postoperative morbidity classification used by Clavien, overall complications and grade I complications were both significantly lower in the FTS group compared with the non-FTS group (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  adopting the FTS protocol helped to recover gastrointestinal functions, to reduce frequency of postoperative complications and to reduce hospital stay. The FTS strategy is safe and effective in improving postoperative outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, 81st Hospital of P.L.A., Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fei
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, 81st Hospital of P.L.A., Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Guang-quan
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Zong
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, 81st Hospital of P.L.A., Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, 81st Hospital of P.L.A., Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Ren-min
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000601:surgery