A pattern of consistent evolution in fast-track protocol s was clearly demonstrated and these have shown variations in the core-identified components across the studies .
In the future incremental gains through focused improvements in key components will lend itself to even better postoperative outcomes and patient experience during oesophageal cancer treatment
Fast track is a st and ardised goal directed patient 's care pathway that aims to facilitate recovery following surgery .
Currently , there are large variations in the fast track protocol s used in oesophagectomy due to the complexity of the procedure .
The objective of this systematic review is to assess the evolution of fast track protocol s  following oesophagectomy  since its implementation and the result ing effect on postoperative outcomes .
Program of gastrointestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition: a prospective study
Nutritional depletion is commonly observed in patients undergoing surgical treatment for a gastrointestinal malignancy . An appropriate nutritional intervention could be associated with improved postoperative outcomes . The study was aim ed to determine the effect of a program of gastrointestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition upon complications and clinical outcomes in patients who experienced gastrointestinal surgery for cancer . This is a prospect i ve study ( 2013 January–2015 December ) of 465 consecutive patients su bmi tted to gastrointestinal surgery for cancer and admitted to an Oncological Intensive Care Unit . The program of gastrointestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition consisted on : ( 1 ) general rules : pain relive , early mobilization , antibiotic prophylaxis , deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis and respiratory physiotherapy ; and ( 2 ) gastrointestinal rules : gastric protection , control of postoperative nausea and vomiting , early nasogastric tube remove and early enteral nutrition . The most frequent surgical sites were colorectal ( 44.9 % ) , gynecological with intestinal suturing ( 15.7 % ) and esophagus/stomach ( 11.0 % ) . Emergency surgery was performed in 12.7 % of patients . The program of intestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition  reduced major complications ( 19.2 vs. 10.2 % ; p = 0.030 ) , respiratory complications ( p = 0.040 ) , delirium ( p = 0.032 ) , infectious complications ( p = 0.047 ) and gastrointestinal complications ( p < 0.001 ) . Intensive care unit mortality ( p = 0.018 ) , length of intensive care unit stay ( p < 0.001 ) and length of hospitalization ( p < 0.001 ) were reduced as well . A program of gastrointestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition is associated with reduced postoperative complications and improved clinical outcomes in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery for cancer
A pattern of consistent evolution in fast-track protocol s was clearly demonstrated and these have shown variations in the core-identified components across the studies .
In the future incremental gains through focused improvements in key components will lend itself to even better postoperative outcomes and patient experience during oesophageal cancer treatment
Fast track is a st and ardised goal directed patient 's care pathway that aims to facilitate recovery following surgery .
Currently , there are large variations in the fast track protocol s used in oesophagectomy due to the complexity of the procedure .
The objective of this systematic review is to assess the evolution of fast track protocol s  following oesophagectomy  since its implementation and the result ing effect on postoperative outcomes .