RECOVERY AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC COLONIC SURGERY WITH EPIDURAL ANALGESIA, AND EARLY ORAL NUTRITION AND MOBILIZATION

The rate of postoperative recovery is determined by pain, stress-induc ed organ dysfunction, and limitations in conventional postoperative ca re. We attempted to provide ''stress-free'' colonic resection for neop lastic disease in eight elderly high-risk patients by a combination of laparoscopically assisted surgery, epidural analgesia, and early oral nutrition and mobilisation. Effective pain relief allowed early mobil isation, and hospital stay was reduced to 2 days without nausea, vomit ing, or ileus. Postoperative fatigue and impairment in functional acti vity were avoided. Major advances in postoperative recovery can be ach ieved by early aggressive perioperative care in elderly high-risk pati ents undergoing colonic surgery.