Application of early enteral nutrition in postoperative patients with esophageal or cardiac cancer

Objective To explore the safety, feasibility and clinical effects of early postoperative enteral nutrition for patients with esophageal or cardiac cancer.Methods Eighty patients with esophageal or cardiac cancer were randomly divided into two groups, and received enteral nutrition (EN)(n=40) or parenteral nutrition(PN)(n=40) continuously for 7 days after operation. The body weight, blood routine test, liver function on the 8th postoperative day were compared with those before operation. The time needed for anal exsufflation and hospital stay ,cost of nutrition and morbidity of complication were also observed.Results Red blood cell count, the levels of hemoglobin and serum albumin decreased and white blood cell, transaminase increased less in EN group than those in PN group (P0.01). The time needed for anal exsufflation was shortened, and cost of nutrition was decreased significantly in EN group(P0.01). Postoperative complication rate was also decreased significantly in EN group compared with that in PN group(P0.05).Conclusion Early postoperative EN for patients with esophageal or cardiac cancer is safer, more feasible,effective and economical than PN.