Fast tracking in ambulatory surgery.

Fast tracking after ambulatory surgery is a new paradigm which involves transferring patients from the operating room to the phase II recovery unit (i.e. bypassing the postanaesthesia care unit). The success of fast tracking depends upon appropriate modification of the anaesthetic technique, which would allow rapid emergence from anaesthesia, and the prevention of common postoperative complications such as pain, nausea and vomiting using a multimodal approach. Implementation of a fast track program involves use of clinical pathways that would reduce hospital stay and ensure patient safety. Finally, the concept of fast tracking should be expanded to the overall postoperative recovery, not just bypassing the postanaesthesia care unit.