Effects of different nutritional support on nutritional status and immunal funct ion of elderly patients following surgery for digestive neoplasm of the digestiv e tract

Objective To evaluate the effects of enteral nutriti on (EN+PN) and parenteral nutrition(PN) on nutritional status and immunal function of elderly patients following surgery for tumors of the digestive tract. Methods Forty patients operated for tumor of alimentery tract were randomly divided into EN+PN group(n=20) and PN group( n=20).Equal calorie and nitrogen were given from the first day after opera tion and was maintained for one week. Parameters of nutritional and immunal stat uses were measured before and after nutritional support. Results Body weight decreased significantly in both groups, but without signi ficant difference (P0.001) Nutritional markers significantly in creased after nutritional support was given(P0.05).The indexes of immune function were improved significantly in EN+PN group. Concl usions Postoperative EN +PN or PN could improve nutritional and im munal status of elderly patients with digestive tract tumors.Improvement of immu nity was better in EN +PNgroup than in PN group. Early EN after surgery is safe , feasible and effective.