Does fast-track colorectal surgery program reduce hospital length of stay?
: Overall, patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery on a fast-track program discharged 1 day sooner than patients on traditional recovery programs. Patients successfully followed the fast-track program.
In addition to the expected factors like advancing age, female gender, and increasing comorbidity index, open compared to laparoscopic technique for colectomy is associated with an increased likelihood of discharge to skilled care facilities. When feasible, the laparoscopic technique should be considered as an option, especially in the elderly patients who require colon resection, because it may reduce their likelihood of discharge to a skilled care facility.