Fast-track Surgery Improves Postoperative Recovery in Patients Undergoing Partial Hepatectomy for Primary Liver Cancer: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial 

Ni CY, Yang Y, Chang YQ, Cai H, Xu B, Yang F, Lau WY, Wang ZH, Zhou WP

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Fast-track surgery (FTS), combining several techniques with evidence-based adjustments, has shown its effectiveness to accelerate recovery, reduce morbidity and shorten hospital stay in many operations. This randomized controlled study was carried out aiming to compare the short-term outcomes of partial hepatectomy for liver cancer managed with FTS or with conventional surgery (CS).

METHODS: To compare the short-term effects between FTS and CS, a randomized controlled trial was carried out for liver cancer patients undergoing partial hepatectomy from September 2010 to June 2012.

RESULTS: Patients with liver cancers before receiving partial hepatectomy were randomized into the FTS group (n = 80) and the CS group (n = 80). Compared with the CS group, the FTS group had significantly less complications (P < 0.05), shorter durations of nausea/vomiting, paralytic ileus and hospital stay, higher general comfort questionnaire measures (GCQ) by Kolcaba Line (all P < 0.05), and lower serum levels of C-reactive protein on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5.

CONCLUSIONS: FTS was safe and efficacious. It lessened postoperative stress reactions and accelerated recovery for patients undergoing partial hepatectomy for liver cancer.