Fast-track surgery in elderly patients undergoing colorectal cancer radical resection

Purpose:To investigate the efficacy of applying fast-track surgery(FTS)to elderly patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer.Methods:Elderly patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer received FTS(n=31)or routine(n=31)nursing care.The time to first anal exhaust,oral feeding and leaving the bed,duration of postoperative hospital stay and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.Results:Patients receiving FTS nursing demonstrated significantly shorter times to exhaust,oral feeding and leaving the bed compared with those receiving routine nursing(all p<0.01).Furthermore,there were significantly fewer incidences of postoperative pulmonary and urinary tract infections and intestinal adhesion in patients receiving FTS nursing(all p<0.05).Conclusion:Application of FTS in elderly patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer facilitates an early rehabilitation after surgery,but places higher demands on nursing care.