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Yin-Quan Zhao, Wei-Hua Tong, Quan Wang, Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
Correspondence to: Associate Professor Quan Wang, Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China. wangquan-jlcc@hotmail.com
Received: February 22, 2011 Revised: June 18, 2011 Accepted: June 21, 2011 Published online: July 8, 2011
In recent years, fast-track surgery has been attracting more and more attention; however, many people remain concerned about the safety and effectiveness of fast-track colorectal surgery. In this paper we discuss how the main components of fast-track colorectal surgery (no routine mechanical bowel preparation, epidural anaesthesia or analgesia, laparoscopic operation, early removal of nasogastric tube and drainage tube, early postoperative oral feeding) affect the incidence of postoperative complications. Meanwhile, we evaluate the effectiveness of fast-track colorectal surgery in terms of shortened length of hospital stay, facilitated recovery, reduced insulin resistance, and better preserved immune function. Besides, we summarize the difficulties confronted during the implementation of fast-track colorectal surgery. We conclude that fast-track colorectal surgery is a safe and effective approach that deserves to be popularized in clinical practice.
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