LAUSR

The ‘fast-track’ pathway to pancreatic resection is a straight to surgery approach that avoids potentially harmful preoperative biliary drainage. A possible criticism is that the shortened time span from diagnosis to surgery makes it more difficult for patients to adjust to their new diagnosis and mentally prepare for surgery. The emotional impact that ‘fast-track’ surgery has on patients has never been assessed. This study evaluated patient satisfaction of the ‘fast-track’ pathway compared to standard care. 23 consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic resection between December 2019 and March 2020 at the QEHB were included. Patient were assigned to ‘fast-track’ (N = 12) or standard care (N = 11) pathways and satisfaction was assessed via a standardised, clinician supervised questionnaire using Likert scales to grade satisfaction. There was no significant difference in patient satisfaction between patients on the ‘fast-track’ pathway and patients undergoing standard care (p > 0.05). Satisfaction levels were high for both cohorts, with 91.97% of responses rated as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’. The ‘fast-track’ pathway does not have a negative effect on patient satisfaction and therefore, emotional impact should not be a barrier to implementing this pathway nationally.