Fast track surgery in patients with gastric cancer

Objective To evaluate the effect of fast track surgery on immunologic functions and clinical outcome in patients with gastric cancer during perioperative period. Methods Thirty-six gastric cancer patients receving radical operation were randomly divided into two groups: fast track group (18, fast track surgery) and conventional management group (18, non-fast track surgery). Serum levels of IgA、IgM、 IgG and C reaction protein (CRP) in 36 patients were assayed preoperatively and postoperatively on 1st, 3rd, 7th day. The postoperative hospital stay, duration of fever, inhospital expense, postoperative time of flatus and postoperative complications were recorded respectively. Results On the postoperative 3rd day, serum levels of IgA [(1.57 ± 0. 40) g/L vs. (1.27±0.49) g/L, P 0. 05). While discharged from hospital, the quality of life score [(14. 8 ± 1.9) vs. (16. 1 ± 1.6), P < 0. 05]in patients of fast track group was significantly higher than that in patients in non-fast track group (P < 0. 05). Conclusions Fast track surgery mitigates the immunologic impairment of gastric cancer patients during perioperative period, and accelerates postoperative rehabilitation. Key words: Stomach neoplasms;  Immunglobin A;  Immunglobin G;  Immunglobin M ; C-reaction protein;  Fast track surgery