The effect of early enteral nutrition on intestinal mucosa barrier in patients with esophageal carcinoma after operation

Objective To explore the protective effect of early enteral nutrition on intestinal mucosa barrier in patients with esophageal carcinoma after operation. Methods Fifty six patients with esophageal carcinoma whose weight decreased more than 20% before operation in three months were divided into enteral nutrition group ( n =30) and parenteral nutrition group ( n =26). Plasma concentration of lipopolysaccharide(LPS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), gastrin, glutamine, and ratio of lactulose and mannitol (L/M) were measured on the 1st, 4th, 8th day after operation respectively. Results Weight loss and infectious complication in enteral nutrition group were less than those in parenteral nutrition group after operation ( P 0.01, 0.05). On the 4th and 8th day after operation,the level of LPS,TNF, and L/M were lower in enteral nutrition group than those in parenteral nutrition group ( P 0 01), the values of gastrin and glutamine were higher in enteral nutrition group than those in parenteral nutrition group ( P 0 01). Conclusion Enteral nutrition can protect the intestinal mucosa barrier and decrease infectious complication after operation.