Abstract
Aim : To examine the effect of the perioperative pedometer on postoperative complication rates and recovery rates following colorectal cancer surgery.
Methods : We performed a retrospective investigation of 97 patients who underwent colorectal surgery at our hospital. We defined the group of patients who walked less than 3000 steps per day on the 7th day after surgery as the Gait Reduction Group. We examined lengths of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and gait reduction as the short-term outcomes, and muscle mass reduction rates occurring through the 6th postoperative month, as the long-term outcome.
Results : Among the 97 patients, 28 patients (28.9%) met the criteria for inclusion in the Gait Reduction Group. Compared to the other patients, rectal resection and anemia occurred more frequently in the Gait Reduction Group (P=0.084, P=0.013). Hospital stays were significantly longer, and postoperative complications were significantly more frequent in this group (P<0.001, P=0.003). There were statistically significant correlations between postoperative gait reduction and postoperative complications (OR : 28.1, 95% CI : 1.88-419.6), as well as postoperative gait reduction and the inability to walk more than 3000 steps per day on the day prior to surgery (OR : 29.9, 95% CI : 2.28-394.5), as determined by logistic regression analysis. There were no significant differences in the muscle mass reduction rates at 6 months after surgery (P=0.468).
Conclusion : The length of hospital stays was longer in the Gait Reduction Group after colorectal surgery. Preoperative gait limitations, indicated by the inability to walk more than 3000 steps per day on the day before surgery, were also related to postoperative gait reduction. These may be predictors to focus on selectively with regard to rehabilitation after colorectal cancer surgery.
