ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the outcomes of fast track surgery program applied in thoracoscopic/laparoscopic esophagectomy.Methods From March 2010 to December 2012,99 esophagus cancer patients were randomly allocated to receive thoracoscopic/laparoscopic esophagectomy[minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) group,50 cases] and open esophagectomy [open esophagectomy (OE) group,49 cases].Same fast track surgery program was applied in both groups.Perioperative data of all patients were collected and analysized.Results The baseline of both groups was similar.Compared with OE group,MIE group got more abdominal lymph nodes resection,13(6-40) vs.4(0-20),P ＜0.05.In both groups,the level of the total albumin,hemoglobin and total cholesterol in the 8th postoperative day was higher than that of the 1 st postoperative day,P ＜0.05.Statistical difference was observed in the 48 h patient controlled analgesia usage,24 h and 48h visual analogue scales score of motion and less motion,postoperative creatine kinase level,the white cell count and C-reaction protein level in the 8th postoperative day,of which the MIE group got better results,P ＜ 0.05.Patients in MIE group took less time to begin oral nutrition (6 days vs.9 days P ＜ 0.05),besides,the parenteral nutrition duration [(7.9 ± 2.4) days vs.(8.6 ± 2.9)days,P ＜ 0.05] and postoperative hospital stay [(12.5 ± 3.1) days vs.(17.1 ± 6.3) days,P ＜ 0.05] were also shorter,P ＜0.05.Conclusion Fast track surgery program is safe and feasible for patients receiving esophagectomy.MIE combined with fast track surgery program can promote early rehabilitation by easing pain,reducing inflammatory response,improving nutrition state,lowering postoperative morbidity,shortening hospital stays,and as a result,have more obviously advantages.