Table 4 Per protocol analysis of primary and secondary endpoints

Primary endpoint

Postoperative hospital stay (days), mean (SD)

7.9 (2.4)

7.3 (3.0)

   Median (IQR)

7.0 (6.0–10.0)

7.0 (5.5–8.0)

0.337*

Secondary endpoints

Postoperative complications

4

6

-0.018 (-0.273 to 0.237)

- Major complications

1

3

-0.064 (-0.230 to 0.101)

   - Re-admission

1

3

- Minor complications

3

0

0.047 (-0.168 to 0.261)

   - Wound infection

3

0

Gastric function

- First flatus (days)

2.5 (1.2)

2.8 (1.5)

   Median (IQR)

3 (1.3–3)

3 (1–4)

0.569*

- First defecation (days)

3.5 (1.2)

3.3 (1.6)

   Median (IQR)

4 (2.8–4)

4 (2–5)

0.958*

- Removal nasogastric tube (days)

2.1 (1.2)

1.8 (1.2)

   Median (IQR)

2 (1–3)

1(1–2)

0.471*

- Removal of epidural catheter (days)

3.5 (1.3)

3.6 (1.3)

   Median (IQR)

4 (3–4)

4 (3–4)

0.707*

- Removal of IV catheter (days)

3.9 (1.1)

3.8 (1.3)

   Median (IQR)

4 (3–5)

4 (3–5)

0.801*

- Normal diet (days)

3.8 (1.6)

3.6 (1.7)

   Median (IQR)

4 (2–5)

3 (3–4)

0.577*