[Perioperative care of patients with stage IIIC ovarian cancer]

Besides intraoperative efforts, the perioperative care is essential to improve the postoperative outcome following ovarian cancer surgery. Multimodal evidence-based care within the fast-track methodology significantly enhances postoperative recovery and reduces morbidity. The purpose of this study was to assess and discuss perioperative care principles in patients undergoing ovarian cancer surgery with stage IIIC at the six centres in Denmark performing this surgical procedure.

The study was a retrospective audit. The study included 90 consecutive patients, 15 from each of the centres at which operations were performed in 2007. Data was obtained from medical and nursing files. The extent of the surgical procedure was recorded.

For patients without extensive surgery effort, the median hospital stay was six days; for patients with extensive surgery, the median hospital stay was 13 days. A total of 48 percent of the patients without maximal surgery effort fulfilled the goals for mobilization on the day of surgery, and 19 percent on the first postoperative day. A total of 35 percent of the patients with maximal surgery effort fulfilled the goals for mobilization on the day of the surgery, and 24 percent on the first postoperative day. Less than half of the patients had regular oral diet and protein enriched drinks on or before the third postoperative day.

Mobilization, nutrition, nausea and pain are severe problems for patients undergoing ovarian cancer surgery. Optimized perioperative care is needed including a procedure-specific, evidence-based clinical guideline for patients receiving extensive surgery.