Benefits of perioperative fast-track surgery program on clinical outcome in patients with gastric cancer

Objective To evaluate the benefits of perioperative fast-track surgery (FTS) program on clinical outcome in patients with gastric cancer. Methods Totally, 82 patients were randomly allocated into FTS group (n = 41; received perioperative FTS program) and control group (n = 41; received a conventional therapy). The postoperative first defecation time, postoperative hospital stay, hospitalization expenditure, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results The postoperative first defecation time and postoperative hospital stay were (45.58 ± 26.91 ) h and (9.4 ± 3. 3 ) d in FT3 group and (58.01 ± 23.5 ) h and ( 12. 4 ±3.6 )d in control group (P = 0. 0287 and P = 0. 0002, respectively). Hospitalization expenditure was significantly lower in FTS group than that in control group [(2. 96 ± 0.44 ) yuan vs. ( 3.46 ± 0. 34 ) × 104 yuan, P ＜ 0. 0001 ).The complication was not significantly different between the two groups (7.3% vs. 17.1% , P =0. 232). Conclusion Perioperative FTS program can accelerate postoperative rehabilitation, shorten hospital stay, and decrease medical costs in patients with gastric cancer. Key words: Fast-track surgery; Gastric cancer; Prospective study