Application of fast-track surgery concept in perioperative patients with biliary calculi and liver cirrhosis: a prospective study

ObjectiveTo investigate the advantage and safety of the concept of fast-track surgery (FTS) applied in perioperative patients with biliary calculi and liver cirrhosis. MethodsFifty-two patients undergoing operation for biliary calculi and liver cirrhosis from January 2011 to September 2013 were included in this study. These patients were randomly divided into FTS group (n = 30) and control group (n = 22). Patients in the FTS group received perioperative care measures guided by FTS concept, while patients in the control group received traditional perioperative management measures. The intraoperative situation of patients, time to postoperative recovery of intestinal function, length of postoperative hospital stay, total medical expenses during hospitalization, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Continuous data and categorical data were compared by t-test and χ2 test, respectively. ResultsAs compared with the control group, the FTS group had significantly time to postoperative recovery of intestinal function (t = 2.239, P = 0.045), a significantly shortened length of postoperative stay (t = 4.246, P = 0.038), and significantly reduced total medical expenses during hospitalization (t = 3.045, P = 0.033). No significant difference in postoperative complications was observed between the two groups (P＞0.05). ConclusionThe concept of FTS can be safely and effectively applied in perioperative patients with biliary calculi and liver cirrhosis, which can accelerate rehabilitation without increasing the risk of surgery