Table 1 Comparison of the perioperative care of the two study groups

Preoperative information

Yes

Yes

Preoperative fasting:

6–8 h fast prior to surgery.

6–8 h fast for solids; carbohydrate drink (12 % maltodextrin), 200 mL up to 2 h before surgery.

Preoperative nutrition

None

Immune supplement 600 mL/day for 5 days prior to surgery

Anesthesia:

Spinal blockage

Spinal blockage

Antibiotic prophylaxis:

Kefazolin: 2 g during anesthesia induction followed by 1 g every 8 h for 48 h.

Kefazolin: 2 g during anesthesia induction followed by 1 g every 8 h for 48 h.

Drains and catheters:

Not used

Not used.

Intravenous fluids:

Intra-operative: 5 to 10 mL of crystalloids/kg/h. Postoperative course: 0.9 % saline solution, 30 to 40 mL/kg/day, until the 2^nd postoperative day.

Intra-operative: 5 to 10 mL of crystalloids/kg/h. Postoperative course: 1000 mL of Ringer’s solution for 24 h.

Anti thrombotic prophylaxis:

20 mg of enoxaparin immediately post-operative (6 h after anesthetic block) and 40 mg/day from the 1^st until the 35^th postoperative day. Use of medium leg compression stockings

20 mg of enoxaparin immediately post-operative (6 h after anesthetic block) and 40 mg/day from the 1^st until the 35^th postoperative day. Use of medium leg compression stockings

Early feeding:

Diet at will starting 6 h after surgery

Diet at will starting 2–4 h after surgery

Mobilization:

Sit up and walk on the 1^st postoperative day.

Sit up and walk the same day as surgery.