Enteral nutrition support in patients with postoperative gastric cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of early enteral nutrition support after operation of gastric cancer.The recovery of gastrointestinal function,nutritional status and immune function were observed. Methods Forty patients with distal subtotal gastrectomy were randomly divided into two groups, 20 patients received parenteral nutrition(PN group), 20 patients were supplied with early enteral nutrition(EN group).Patients of parenteral nutrition(PN) were given total parenteral nutritional supports as routinely from the first postoperative day until oral feeding.Patients with enteral nutrition(EN) were given parenteral nutritional supports routinely on the 1st postoperative day,and then with nutrition through naso-duodenal infusion, gradually increasing the dosage and reducing the venous support.The observation indexes including flatus and defecation time,complication rate,the average hospital costs and duration.Results The time of flatus and of bowel movement, complication rate,hospital duration and costs after operation in the EN group was lower than that of the PN group.Conclusions Early postoperative enteral nutrition support can promote the recovery of intestinal motor function,improve immunity and reduce the hospitalization duration. Enteral nutrition is the first choice for postoperative gastric cancer nutritional support. Key words: Gastric cancer ; Enteral nutrition ; Parenteral nutrition ;