Effects of early enteral nutrition on prognosis of patients with sustained esophageal caner

Objective To investigate the effect of early enteral nutrition.Methods 248 patients with esophageal and gastric carcinoma were randomly divided into two groups,and received enteral nutrition(EN)and parenteral nutrition(PN)each continuously for 6 days after operation.The body weight,blood routine test,liver function,and postoperative day 8 were compared with those before operation.Results The body weight,red blood cell count,and the levels of hemoglobin,serum albumin and transaminase decreased less in EN group than those in PN group(P＜0.01).The complication rates of anastomotic fistula,pulmonary infection,and delayedincision healing and average volume of pleural effusion were 0,13.8%,0,780ml in EN groups,while 3.2%,28.2%,7.2%,1842ml in PN group.Conclusion Early postoperative enteral nutirtion after esophageal carcinoma surgery can improve nutritional status and reduce complications in comparision with parenteral nutrition. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms; Surgical procedures; Enteral nutrition