The effectiveness results were as follows:
The mean length of hospitalisation in the operation group was 9.6 +/-5.3 days in the control group versus 6.0 +/- 5.1 days in the pathway group, (p<0.001).
The mean length of hospitalisation in the operation group without perforation was 8.2 +/-3.7 days in the control group versus 4.0 +/-1.5 days in the pathway group, (p<0.001).
The mean length of hospitalisation in the conservative therapy group was 5.1 +/-2.0 days in the control group versus 4.8 +/-1.4 days in the pathway groups, (p=0.73).
The mean length of hospitalisation in the perforation group was 18.2 +/-6.3 days in the control group versus 13.2 +/-6.4 days in the pathway group, (p=0.1).
The mean postoperative stay in the operation group was 9.0 +/- 4.8 days in the control group versus 6.0 +/-5.2 days in the pathway group, (p<0.001).
The mean postoperative stay in the operation group without perforation was 7.7 +/- 3.4 days in the control group versus 3.8 +/-1.6 days in the pathway group, (p<0.001).
The mean postoperative stay in the perforation group was 17.0 +/- 4.7 days in the control group versus 13.2 +/-6.3 days in the pathway group, (p=0.18).
The mean operation time in the operation group was 39.1 +/- 20.2 minutes in the control group versus 38.4 +/-20.6 minutes in the pathway group, (p=0.11).
The mean operation time in the operation group with perforation was 60.5 +/-15.4 minutes in the control group versus 55.9 +/- 30.3 minutes in the pathway group, (p=0.72).
The mean operation time in the operation group without perforation was 35.8 +/-18.8 minutes in the control group versus 33.1 +/- 12.6 minutes in the pathway group, (p=0.36).