ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of fast track surgery (FTS) in l aparoscopy-assisted radical distal gastrectomy (LADG) for gastric cancer.MethodsSixty-one patientswith distal gastric cancer were randomly divided into three groups:FTS + LADG group (n =19) undergoing LADG and FTS treatments,LADG group (n =22) undergoing LADG and traditional perioperative cares,and FTS + ODG ( open distal gastrectomy) group ( n =21 ) undergoing ODG and FTS treatments.FTS treatments included avoidance of mechanical bowel cleansing,restrictive perioperative intravenous infusion,early ambulation,early enteral nutrition.The age,sex,body weight,anastomotic mode,number of lymph node dissected,and tumor stage,serum albumin (ALB),blood urea nitrogen (BUN),C-reaction protein (CRP),flatus time,postoperative hospital stay,medical cost,and postoperative complications were compared between three groups. ResultsThe level of ALB in FTS + LADG group were higher than in LADG group at the 4th and 7th day after surgery ( P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01 ).Compared to LADG group,the variation of ALB from preoperation to 4th day after surgery in FTS + LADG group and FTS + ODG group was significant( P ＜ 0.01,P ＜ 0.05 ).CRP level between FTS + LADG group and FTS + ODG group were different significantly at 4th and 7th day after surgery ( P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.05).FTS + LADG group has earlier recovery of gastrointestinal peristalsis than other two groups ( P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.05 ).The medical cost in FTS + LADG group was less than in LADG group ( P =0.003 ),but higher than in FTS + ODG group (P ＜0.01 ).ConclusionsThe practice of FTS in LADG was safe,effective,improves nutritional status,eases stress reaction,accelerates gastrointestinal peristalsis and postoperative rehabilitation.