Reduced fasting time in patients who underwent totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of reduced fasting time on postoperative recovery in patients who underwent totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG). METHODS: This retrospective study included 347 patients who underwent TLDG. Patients were divided into 2 groups: reduced fasting time group (n = 139) and conventional feeding group (n = 208). We compared the total hospital cost and recovery parameters, such as postoperative complications, mean hospital stay, day of first flatus, initiation of soft diet, and serum CRP levels, between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The reduced fasting time group had a lower total hospital cost (P < 0.001) than the conventional feeding group. Regarding postoperative complications, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.085). Patients in the reduced fasting time group had a significantly shorter duration of mean hospital stay (P < 0.001), an earlier first flatus (P = 0.002), an earlier initiation of soft diet (P < 0.001), and lower level of serum CRP concentration (day of surgery, P = 0.036; postoperative days 2, 5, and 7, P = 0.01, 0.009, and 0.012, respectively) than patients in the conventional feeding group. CONCLUSION: Reduced fasting time can enhance postoperative recovery in patients who undergo TLDG and may reduce medical costs.