title: Fast-Tracking Colostomy Closures.
abstract: There have been very few studies on applying fast-track principles to colostomy closures. We believe that outcome may be significantly improved with multimodal interventions in the peri-operative care of patients undergoing this procedure. A retrospective study was carried out comparing patients who had undergone colostomy closures by the fast-track and traditional care protocols at our centre. We intended to analyse peri-operative period and recovery in colostomy closures to confirm that fast-track surgery principles improved outcomes. Twenty-six patients in the fast-track arm and 24 patients in the traditional care arm had undergone colostomy closures. Both groups were comparable in terms of their baseline parameters. Patients in the fast-track group were ambulatory and accepted oral feeding earlier. There was a significant reduction in the duration of stay (4.73 ± 1.43 days vs. 7.21 ± 1.38 days, p = 0.0000). We did not observe a rise in complications or 30-day re-admissions. Fast-track surgery can safely be applied to colostomy closures. It shows earlier ambulation and reduction in length of hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Suchak Hospital, Malad (E) Mumbai, India ; 302, Mayfair Villa, 11th Road, Khar (W) Mumbai, 400052 India.
authors.forename: Aditya J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Nanavati
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, L.T.M.G.H, Sion (E) Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Subramaniam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prabhakar
keywords: Colostomy closure; Early recovery after surgery; Fast track surgery; Multi-modal rehabilitation