Table 1.
Comparison of the perioperative care of the two study groups
| Control group | ACERTO group | |
|---|---|---|
| Preoperative information | Yes | Yes |
| Preoperative fasting: | 6–8 h fast prior to surgery. | 6–8 h fast for solids; carbohydrate drink (12 % maltodextrin), 200 mL up to 2 h before surgery. |
| Preoperative nutrition | None | Immune supplement 600 mL/day for 5 days prior to surgery |
| Anesthesia: | Spinal blockage | Spinal blockage |
| Antibiotic prophylaxis: | Kefazolin: 2 g during anesthesia induction followed by 1 g every 8 h for 48 h. | Kefazolin: 2 g during anesthesia induction followed by 1 g every 8 h for 48 h. |
| Drains and catheters: | Not used | Not used. |
| Intravenous fluids: | Intra-operative: 5 to 10 mL of crystalloids/kg/h. Postoperative course: 0.9 % saline solution, 30 to 40 mL/kg/day, until the 2nd postoperative day. | Intra-operative: 5 to 10 mL of crystalloids/kg/h. Postoperative course: 1000 mL of Ringer’s solution for 24 h. |
| Anti thrombotic prophylaxis: | 20 mg of enoxaparin immediately post-operative (6 h after anesthetic block) and 40 mg/day from the 1st until the 35th postoperative day. Use of medium leg compression stockings | 20 mg of enoxaparin immediately post-operative (6 h after anesthetic block) and 40 mg/day from the 1st until the 35th postoperative day. Use of medium leg compression stockings |
| Early feeding: | Diet at will starting 6 h after surgery | Diet at will starting 2–4 h after surgery |
| Mobilization: | Sit up and walk on the 1st postoperative day. | Sit up and walk the same day as surgery. |