Effect of early enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition on the postoperative outcomes of patients with gastric cancer and nutritional riskin enhanced recovery after surgery

Objective To explore the effect of early enteral nutrition(EEN) and parenteral nutrition(PN) on the postoperative outcomes of patients with gastric cancer and nutritional risk in enhanced recovery after surgery. Methods A total of 130 patients with gastric cancer hospitalized in department of surgery of Ningbo First Hospitalfrom September 2016 to May 2018 were selected and divided into early enteral nutrition support group (EEN) which was placed with jejunal nutrition tube during the operation, and enteral nutrition started within 12-24 hours after the operation, and parenteral nutrition support group (PN) which was given parenteral nutrition support one day after surgery. Patients in both groups were given nutrients of equal heat and nitrogen.The incidence of nutrition-related complications, the incidence of infection-related complications, the length of postoperative hospital stay and the time of anal exhaust were compared between the two groups. Results The incidence of nutrition-related complications was 10 cases (15.38%) and 4 cases (6.15%)in EEN group and PN group, that was not statistically different (P=0.157). The incidence of infection-related complications was 3 cases (4.61%) and 5 cases (7.69%) in EEN group and PN group, that was not statistically different (P=0.715). The postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (range, 10-15) and 12 days (range, 11-13)in EEN group and PN group, that was not statistically different (P=0.233). The first anal exhaust time and defecation timewere 64 hours (range, 52-77) and 87 hours (range, 76-100) in EEN group and 72 hours(range, 60-86) and 96 hours(range, 86-120) in PN group, that was statistically different(P=0.001, P=0.034). Conclusion Enhanced recovery after surgery, early enteral nutrition after gastric cancer surgery may promote the recovery of intestinal function, but the complications and hospital stay after operation are not improved. Key words: Enhanced recovery after surgery; Early enteral nutrition; Parenteral nutrition; Gastric cancer