Abstract
Background: Laparoscopy is associated with less pain and organ dysfunction than open surgery. Improved perioperative care (enhanced recovery programmes, fast-track methodology) has also led to reduced morbidity and a shorter hospital stay. The effects of a combination of laparoscopic resection and accelerated recovery have not been examined previously in the context of gastric surgery. Methods: This was a prospective study of 32 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric resection combined with an enhanced recovery protocol (early oral intake, no drains or nasogastric tubes, no epidural analgesia, use of a urinary catheter for less than 24 h and planned discharge 72 h after surgery). Outcomes included length of hospital stay, intraoperative and postoperative complications, readmission rate and 30-day mortality. Results: Operative procedures were elective distal or subtotal gastrectomy (22 patients) and total gastrectomy (10). Median length of hospital stay was 4 (range 2-30) days. There were two major complications: postoperative bleeding requiring reoperation and pulmonary embolism. Two patients required readmission, one for a wound abscess and one for treatment of a urinary tract infection. There were no deaths within 30 days. Conclusion: Minimally invasive gastrectomy with enhanced postoperative recovery results in a short hospital stay and low morbidity rate.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | British Journal of Surgery |
| Volume | 97 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1547-51 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| ISSN | 0007-1323 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2010 |