Fast-track protocols in laparoscopic liver surgery: Applicability and correlation with difficulty scoring systems

BACKGROUND: Few series have reported the utility of fast-track protocols (FTP) in minimally invasive liver surgery. AIM: To report the applicability of FTP in minimally invasive liver surgery and to correlate with difficulty scores. METHODS: The series of patients undergoing minimally invasive liver surgery from 2014 was analyzed. Iwate, Southampton and Gayet’s scores were compared as predictors of FTP adherence. Accomplishment of FTP was considered within 24-h, 48-h and 72-h. Multivariate models were performed to define discharge < 24 h, < 72 h, complications and readmissions. RESULTS: From 160 cases, 78 were candidates for FTP, of which 22 (28.2%), 19 (24.4%) and 14 (17.9%) were discharged in < 24-h, 48-h and 72-h, respectively (total = 71.5%). Iwate, Southampton and Gayet’s scores achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic values for < 24-h stay of 0.780, 0.687 and 0.698, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity values for the best score (Iwate) were 87.7% and 66.7%, respectively (cutoff = 5.5). In multivariate models, < 72 h stay and complications revealed body mass index as a risk factor independent from difficulty scores. CONCLUSION: The development of aggressive FTP is feasible and < 24-h stay can be achieved even in moderate and advanced complexity cases. Difficulty scores, including body mass index value, may be useful to predict which cases may adhere to these protocols.