Effect of postoperative early enteral nutrition in esophageal cancer

Objective To investigate the effect of postoperative early enteral nutrition(EN) in esophageal cancer.Methods A total of 96 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital from January2008 to December 2012 were enrolled in this study. They were divided into total parenteral nutrition group(n=42)and enteral nutrition(EN) group(n=54) based on the nutrition support modes. Complications, gastrointestinal function recovery after the surgery were recorded and analyzed. Results Complications, the time to gastrointestinal function recovery and ambulation,average hospital stay less in EN group than those in total parenteral nutrition group(P0.05).The complication rates of pulmonary infection,anastomotic fistula, incision infection were 18.5%, 1.85%, 3.70% in EN group, and 38.1%, 11.91%, 16.7% in total parenteral nutrition group. There were significant differences between the two groups(P 0.05). Conclusion Early postoperative enteral nutrition after esophageal carcinoma surgery is safe and effective, which can improve gastrointestinal function recovery and reduce complications in comparison with total parenteral nutrition.