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Synchronous cancer should be considered in the preoperative workup and combined resection should be applied whenever possible. Periodic examination for metachronous cancer is necessary during the postoperative period.

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PurposeThe present study was conducted to investigate the low compliance rate of the critical pathway (CP) and whether CP is effective for treatment of gastric cancer in radical gastrectomy.MethodsThe medical records of 631 patients who had undergone radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection were reviewed. This study compared data from patients in early gastric cancer (EGC) and advanced gastric cancer (AGC) groups, which were further subdivided into general care (non-CP) and CP groups.ResultsThe mean length of preoperative hospital stays were significantly different between the EGC and AGC patients (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in the mean length of postoperative hospital stays between non-CP and CP groups among either EGC patients or AGC patients (P > 0.05). The postoperative and total cost of hospitalization was not statistically different between either of the groups (P > 0.05); however, the mean preoperative costs were significantly different (P < 0.05).ConclusionWe conclude that use of the CP following gastrectomy is unnecessary. To decrease the length of hospital stay and associated costs, preoperative examination and consultation should be performed before admission.