Impact of fast-track surgery-oriented care pathways on perioperative rehabilitation indices in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Fast-Track Surgery (FTS)-oriented care pathways on perioperative rehabilitation indicators in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

METHODS

The clinical data of 120 patients admitted to Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer from September 2020 to October 2022 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a control group (n=60, receiving standard care) and an FTS group (n=60 patients receiving FTS-oriented care) according to different nursing methods. The perioperative rehabilitation indices were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

The FTS group exhibited shorter hospitalization duration (=0.001), postoperative anal exhaust time (=0.012), drain removal time (=0.007), gastrointestinal recovery time (=0.008), and a lower total complication rate (=0.016) compared to the control group. The scores of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (=0.001, =0.003, =0.015) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (=0.011, =0.005, =0.007) at 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively were significantly lower in the FTS group than in the control group. Hospitalization cost (P=0.002) and medication expenses (=0.016) were notably lower in the FTS group. During a 12-month follow-up, the FTS group showed a significantly lower complication rates (3.33%) compared to the control group (18.33%) (=0.009).

CONCLUSION

The application of FTS-oriented nursing pathway in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer significantly enhances postoperative rehabilitation, reduces pain, lowers hospitalization and medication costs, and improves postoperative quality of life, which contributes positively to the nurse-patient relationship and patient outcome.