Does a Combination of Laparoscopic Approach and Full Fast Track Multimodal Management Decrease Postoperative Morbidity? A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether association of laparoscopic approach and full fast track multimodal (FFT) management can reduce postoperative morbidity after colorectal cancer surgery, as compared to laparoscopic approach with limited fast-track program (LFT). Summary of Background Data: Recent advances in colorectal cancer surgery are introduction of laparoscopy and FFT implementation. Methods: Patients eligible for elective laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery were randomized into 2 groups: FFT or LFT care (with only early oral intake and mobilization starting on Day 1). Primary outcome was postoperative 30-day morbidity, according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Results: Two hundred seventy patients were randomized and 263 were analyzed: 130 in FFT group and 133 in LFT group, including 106 colon (FFT: n = 52 and LFT: n = 54) and 157 rectal cancer (FFT: n = 78 and LFT: n = 79). Postoperative 30-day mortality was nil. Overall postoperative 30-day morbidity did not show any difference between the groups (FFT: 35% vs LFT: 29%, P = 0.290), neither regarding the overall population, nor in the colon (FFT: 23% vs LFT: 19%, P = 0.636) or rectal (FFT: 44% vs LFT: 35%, P = 0.330) cancer subgroups. Severe postoperative morbidity was also not different between groups (FFT: 12% vs LFT: 8%, P = 0.266). After multivariate regression analysis, only early intravenous catheter removal (on day 2) [odds ratio: 0.390; 95% confidence interval: (95% CI 0.181-0.842); P = 0.017] and the absence of intraoperative lidocaine intravenous perfusion (odds ratio: 0.182, 95% CI 0.042-0.788; P = 0.019) were identified as independent predictive factors of reduced postoperative morbidity. Conclusion: Addition of FFT multimodal management to laparoscopic approach with early oral intake and mobilization does not reduce postoperative morbidity after colorectal cancer surgery.