Abstract

JIMENEZ, William Andrés  and  DOMINGUEZ, Luis Carlos. Fast track surgery protocols diminish hospital length of stay in upper gastrointestinal surgery: systematic review of literature. rev. colomb. cir. [online]. 2015, vol.30, n.3, pp.184-192. ISSN 2011-7582.

Introduction: Fast-track surgery protocols (FT) have demonstrated reduction in hospital length of stay (LOS) and medical costs in colorectal surgery. The evidence on FT applied to general surgery is sparse. This study reviews the scientific evidence of FT strategy in upper gastrointestinal surgery (UGIS). Methods: PubMed and Medline databases were reviewed with the term "Fast Track surgery" and "ERAS surgery". Randomized clinical trials (RCT) regarding FT strategies in UGIS were included only if a control group with conventional care (CC) was compared. Studies not related to UGIS were excluded. The differences in weighted means were analyzed using as end points the LOS, morbility, mortality, and hospital readmission. Results: Five RCT met the inclusion criteria: four randomized clinical studies on gastrectomies, and one on perforated duodenal ulcer From a total of 385 patients, 197 (51%) included the CC group and 188 (49%) in FT group were compared. The LOS of CC vs. FT groups was 7.5 and 5.7 days, respectively (p=0.019), and morbidity of 22% vs. 14%. Respectively (p=0.019). No significance differences were obtained on mortality (p=0.347) or hospital readmission (p=0.954) between the two groups. Conclusion: Fast-Track strategy decreases length of hospital stay, and could be safely implemented in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery, without increasing morbidity, mortality or readmission rates.

Keywords : General surgery; upper gastrointestinal tract superior; digestive system surgical procedures; Fast-track; recovery of function; patient discharge; cost savings.

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