Short-term clinical outcomes of enteral nutrition versus parenteral nutrition after surgery for pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: The short-term clinical outcomes between early enteral nutrition (EEN) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic cancer were not clear. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang databases to identify randomized controlled studies comparing EEN and TPN after PD for pancreatic cancer. Then a meta-analysis was conducted. Results: Seven studies with 486 patients were included in the analysis. After surgery, patients in EEN group had higher level of plasma total protein (TP) [weighted mean difference (WMD): 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33–3.32, P=0.02], while the albumin (ALB) level was similar between the two groups (WMD: 0.25, 95% CI: –4.07–4.56, P=0.91). As for the bowel function, EEN group had shorter exhaust time (WMD: –0.66, 95% CI: –0.81 to –0.51, P Conclusions: Compared to TPN, EEN showed better outcomes in improving the nutritional status and bowel function as well as decreasing complication rate and hospital stay after PD in patients with pancreatic cancer.