Application Effect of Fast Track Surgery for Patients with Lung Cancer: 
A Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background and objective Fast track surgery (FTS) can accelerate rehabilitation and reduce postoperative hospital stay. It has been effectively applied to several surgical diseases. However, the safety and effectiveness of FTS for patients with lung cancer in China is unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of FTS undergoing lung cancer surgery in China. Methods Using home and abroad databases to search all documents required. The deadline of retrieval was January 31, 2016. Then the studies were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed by RevMan 5.3 software. Results 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 5 clinical controlled trials (CCTs) with 1,241 patients were eligible for analysis. Compared with control group, FTS group can significantly shorten postoperative hospital time (MD=-3.61, 95%CI: -5.05--2.16, P<0.000,01) and chest tube duration (MD=-2.62, 95%CI: -3.07-2.17, P<0.000,01), reduce incidence of postoperative complications (OR=0.30, 95%CI: 0.19-0.47, P<0.000,01) and hospitalization costs (MD=-0.92, 95%CI: -1.19--0.65, P<0.000,01). Conclusion FTS can safely and effectively accelerate the recovery of patients with lung cancer in China, it exhibits important clinical values.

Keywords

• Lung neoplasms
• Fast track surgery
• Lobectomy
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
• Meta-analysis