Application of enteral nutrition in postoperative carcinoma of esophagus patients.

Objective To evaluate the safety and clinical value of early postoperative enteral nutrition in esophageal and cardiac cancer patients.Methods 72 patients of esophageal and cardiac cancer were randomly divided into two groups,enteral nutrition group(EN group) 36 patients and routine group(control group) 36 cases.The vital signs,resumption of gastrointestinal function,and complications after operation were carefully observed.The body mass,plasma protein,fasting glucose,liver and renal functions,electrolytes and immunoglobin before and after nutritional support were compared between the two groups.Results Neither of two groups had death after operation or severe complications.The liver and renal functions did not change,but EN group showed significant elevation of plasma protein,transferrin and prealbumin 7 days after nutritional support,respectively,by the nutritional support before(34.9±3.5) g/L,(216.3±37.1) g/L and(166.5±49.3) mg/L,rose to(41.3±5.8) g/L,(294.7±44.5) g/L and(186.3±37.5) mg/L(all P0.01).Similar changes were not observed in the control group.The immune function of EN group patients was also significantly improved(P0.01).Conclusion The early postoperative enteral nutrition for esophageal and cardiac cancer patients is safe and feasible.It has significant benefits for improving the nutritional status and immune function.