Fast-track improves post-operative nutrition and outcomes of colorectal surgery: a single-center prospective trial in China.

Fast-track (FT) has been shown to enhance post-operative recovery. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of FT and traditional nutrition on post-operative rehabilitation, as well as evaluate the feasibility of applying FT in nutrition management of colorectal surgery. A prospective and randomized controlled trial was performed. This study included 464 patients who underwent colorectal surgery. The patients were randomly assigned into an FT group and a traditional group. The nutritional risk screening (NRS 2002) score, post-operative recovery index and surgical complications were compared between the FT and traditional groups. The NRS 2002 score in the FT group was better than the traditional group (p<0.05). Serum indicators for nutrition (HGB, ALB, A/G) and immune function (lymphocyte rate [LYMPH%], IgA, and CD4+) in the FT group were superior to those in the traditional group (p<0.05) on post-operative day 5. The first time to aerofluxus, defecation, oral intake and ambulation in the FT group was shorter when compared to the traditional group (p<0.05). The complication incidence was significantly lower in the FT group than in the traditional group (p<0.05). In particular, the occurrence rate of anastomotic leakage was higher in the traditional group than in the FT group (0.5% vs 2.8%, p<0.05). Taken together, these data suggest that FT management can improve the nutritional condition and outcomes of colorectal surgical patients.

Restricted intravenous fluid regimen reduces fluid redistribution of patients operated for abdominal malignancy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent studies indicate that perioperative fluid restriction leads to better preserved clinical data as well as reduced complication rates. This study aimed to determine the probable mechanism of fluid restriction influence on the complication rate of patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery for malignancy. METHODOLOGY: Patients (n = 174) undergoing restricted fluid regimen (R group) or standard fluid regimen (S group) were included in this prospective, randomized trial over 16 months. Fluid distribution was determined by Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (BIA) and the difference between two groups was compared regarding complications and the relationship between complications and fluid distribution changes. RESULTS: The restricted intravenous fluid regimen significantly reduced perioperative intravenous fluid volume. Weight gained in S group and was not significantly changed in R group after surgery, especially in POD2 (media; R vs. S; 61.17 vs. 65.40 kg, p = 0.017). The number of patients with postoperative complications was reduced in R group compared with in S group (34.5% vs. 47.8%, p = 0.076). Systemic complications were significantly reduced in R group (t = -5.895, p = 0.000). Patients with complications had an average of 1.6 complications in R group vs. 2.0 in S group (t = -1.345, p = 0.183). The multivariate analysis suggested that perioperative fluid distribution changes were associated with the development of postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative fluid restriction could effect on fluid distribution and reduce tissue and cellular edema, and further, could reduce postoperative complication rates.