Abstract:
Objective This study aims to investigate the method and clinical outcomes of feeding tube placement and perioperative nutritional support for esophageal carcinoma patients.
Methods A total of 513 esophageal carcinoma patients who have undergone radical resection and reconstruction by a single operating group between January 2012 and December 2013 participated this study.Feeding tubes were inserted via the nasal path of 497 cases and by jejunostomy in 16 cases.Early enteral nutrition (EN) was administered through the feeding tubes 24 h postoperatively with a stepwise increase, whereas supplementation of parenteral nutrition (PN) was terminated until total EN.
Results Feeding tubes were successfully inserted in all patients during operation.No death or nutritional and metabolic disorders were documented during the observation period.No differences in anastomotic fistula, pulmonary complication, and incision infection were identified between the nasointestinal and jejunostomy groups (P>0.05).A higher incidence of intestinal obstruction was observed in the jejunostomy group than in the nasointestinal group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion Effective placement of nasointestinal tube and early enteral feeding are safe and effective methods for patients who have undergone esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma.