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Fast-track rehabilitation program and conventional care after esophagectomy: a retrospective controlled cohort study

Supportive Care in Cancer volume 21, pages 707–714 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to evaluate fast-track rehabilitation program and conventional care after esophagectomy using a retrospective controlled cohort study in esophageal cancer patients.

Methods

Fifty-five patients underwent fast-track rehabilitation program and 57 patients underwent conventional care after esophagectomy. Fast-track rehabilitation program was performed to patients who have early movement, epidural analgesia control, fluid infusion volume control and enteral nutrition for early discharge. The other 57 patients underwent conventional care after esophagectomy. The average of hospital stay and complications were calculated in the patients between the two groups.

Results

The median length of hospital stay in the patients was significantly shorter after fast-track rehabilitation program than after conventional care (7.7 vs 14.8 day, P < 0.01). The percentage of patients who developed complications was significantly lower 30 day after fast-track rehabilitation program than after conventional care (29.1 vs 47.4 %, P < 0.05). 87.3 % in patients of the fast-track rehabilitation program group and 54.4 % in those of the conventional care group reported excellent to very good satisfaction with their pain control (P = 0.000).

Conclusions

The fast-track rehabilitation program results in fewer complications, less postoperative pain, a reduction in the hospital length of stay, and quicker return to work and normal activities after esophagectomy.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance of Dr. Jianjun Wang and others for their assistance in establishing the fast-track rehabilitation program protocol. Financial support for this study was provided by Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Health Department and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China

    Shouqiang Cao, Guibin Zhao, Jian Cui, Qing Dong, Yanzhong Xin & Qingfeng Guo

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China

    Sihua Qi

  3. Department of Radiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China

    Baozhong Shen

Authors
  1. Shouqiang Cao
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  2. Guibin Zhao
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  3. Jian Cui
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  4. Qing Dong
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  5. Sihua Qi
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  6. Yanzhong Xin
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  7. Baozhong Shen
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  8. Qingfeng Guo
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Correspondence to Qingfeng Guo.

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Cao, S., Zhao, G., Cui, J. et al. Fast-track rehabilitation program and conventional care after esophagectomy: a retrospective controlled cohort study. Support Care Cancer 21, 707–714 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1570-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1570-0

Keywords

  • Esophagectomy
  • Fast track
  • Rehabilitation
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Postoperative