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“Fast-track” rehabilitation after colonic surgery in elderly patients—is it feasible?

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background and aims

The aim of the “fast-track” rehabilitation after elective colonic surgery is to lower the extent of general complications. Elderly patients may especially profit from this multi-modal peri-operative treatment including enforced early mobilisation and oral nutrition.

Materials and methods

In this prospective study using a well-defined post-operative multi-modal treatment programme, we examined the feasibility of this so-called fast-track rehabilitation in elderly patients. The programme employed combined thoracic peri-dural analgesia, early enforced mobilisation and rapid oral nutrition.

Results

Seventy-four consecutive patients older than 70 years with benign or malignant disease of the large intestine were operated on. All patients were treated peri-operatively using the “fast-track” rehabilitation programme. Of the patients, 84% were able to have liquids orally on the day of surgery and 86% had solid food on the 1st post-operative day. The median time until the first bowel movement was 2 days. Only 12 (16%) patients had a total of 16 local complications, including 2 (3%) patients with anastomotic leakages. Nine patients (12%) had a total of 14 general complications; mortality rate was 1% (n = 1). Patients were discharged from the hospital 5 (5th–95th percentile = 4–6 days) days after surgery.

Conclusion

Using the “fast-track” rehabilitation programme on elderly patient is not only feasible but may also lower the number of general complications and the duration of the hospital stay.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinik für Allgemein-, Visceral-, Gefaess, und Thoraxchirurgie, Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany

    M. Scharfenberg, W. Raue, T. Junghans & W. Schwenk

Authors
  1. M. Scharfenberg
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  2. W. Raue
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  3. T. Junghans
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  4. W. Schwenk
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Correspondence to W. Schwenk.

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Scharfenberg, M., Raue, W., Junghans, T. et al. “Fast-track” rehabilitation after colonic surgery in elderly patients—is it feasible?. Int J Colorectal Dis 22, 1469–1474 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-007-0317-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-007-0317-8

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