clinical and best practice guidelines, which are also established
as guidelines for performing optimal symptom management
in Swedish public health care. Fast-track colonic
surgery with epidural analgesia, early mobilisation and early
oral feeding has been proven beneficial to patients in the
early postoperative phase (Bardram et al. 1995, Kehlet &
Dahl 2003). The advantages include preservation of body
composition, better postoperative muscle function and less
fatigue after discharge (Kehlet & Dahl 2003). A planned