Early postoperative feeding in resectional gastrointestinal surgical cancer patients

Exploring the Attitudes of Health Professionals Providing Care to Patients Undergoing Treatment for Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers to Different Models of Nutrition Care Delivery: A Qualitative Investigation

Background: People with upper gastrointestinal cancer are at high risk for malnutrition without universal access to early nutrition interventions. Very little data exist on the attitudes and views of health professionals on providing nutrition care to this patient cohort delivered by electronic health methods. COVID-19 has fast-tracked the adoption of digital health care provision, so it is more important than ever to understand the needs of health professionals in providing health care via these modes. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of health professionals on providing nutrition care to upper gastrointestinal cancer patients by electronic methods to allow the future scaling-up of acceptable delivery methods. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted face-to-face or by telephone and recorded, de-identified and transcribed. Thematic analysis was facilitated by NVivo Pro 12. Results: Interviews were conducted on 13 health professionals from a range of disciplines across several public and private health institutions. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: (1) the ideal model, (2) barriers to the ideal model and (3) how to implement and translate the ideal model. Health professionals viewed the provision of nutrition interventions as an essential part of an upper gastrointestinal cancer patient’s treatment with synchronous, telephone-based internal health service models of nutrition care overwhelmingly seen as the most acceptable model of delivery. Mobile application-based delivery methods were deemed too challenging for the current population serviced by these clinicians. Conclusion: The use of novel technology for delivering nutrition care to people receiving treatment for upper gastrointestinal cancers was not widely accepted as the preferred method of delivery by health professionals. There is an opportunity, given the rapid uptake of digital health care delivery, to ensure that the views and attitudes of health professionals are understood and applied to develop acceptable, efficacious and sustainable technologies in our health care systems.

Nasojejunal Feeding Is Safe and Effective Alternative to Feeding Jejunostomy for Postoperative Enteral Nutrition in Gastric Cancer Patients

Background and Aim  Carcinoma of the stomach is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Surgery for gastric cancer in the form of total or distal gastrectomy is definitive treatment. Feeding jejunostomy (FJ) though improves postoperative nutritional status and outcome, it is not devoid of its complications. In this study, we present the outcomes of nasojejunal (NJ) feeding and FJ and complications associated with them.

Materials and Methods  It is both retrospective and prospective observational study in patients with gastric cancer undergoing surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent FJ and those who underwent NJ route of feeding placed intraoperatively.

Results  A total of 279 patients of gastric cancer who underwent surgery were taken into study, of which, 165 were male and 114 females. FJ was done in 42 and NJ in 237 patients, respectively. Gastrectomy + NJ was done in 128 patients, gastrectomy + FJ in 27 patients, gastrojejunostomy + NJ in 109 patients, and FJ in 15 patients. We had three patients of bile leaks in FJ group, of which one patient had intraperitoneal leak who needed re-exploration; rest of the two had peri-FJ external leaks, who were managed conservatively. Most of the complications of NJ group were minor.

Conclusion  Our study of 279 patients in gastric cancer has shown that FJ is sometimes associated with major complications with increased hospital stay and morbidity when compared with NJ tube feeding without any difference in nutritional outcomes. Hence, NJ route of postoperative enteral nutrition can be considered as an alternative to FJ wherever feasible in view of its technical safety and minor complications and morbidity.

Home enteral nutrition and oral nutritional supplements in postoperative patients with upper gastrointestinal malignancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The safety and potential benefits of home enteral route nutrition (HERN), referring specifically to home enteral nutrition (HEN) and oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in this article, after upper gastrointestinal (GI) resection are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of HERN on nutritional status, complications, and quality of life (QOL) after upper GI resection.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Nine databases were searched from inception to October 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the impact of HERN after upper gastrointestinal resection were included. Relative risk/weighted mean difference/standardized mean difference (RR/WMD/SMD) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models.

RESULTS

Overall, 15 RCTs involving 1059 patients were included. Compared with normal oral diet, HERN significantly prevented weight loss (-3.95 vs -5.82 kg; SMD: 1.98 kg; 95% CI: 1.24-2.73); improved added-level of albumin (3.48 vs 2.41 g/L; SMD: 1.36 g/L; 95% CI: 0.81-1.91), hemoglobin (6.54 vs -1.29 g/L; WMD: 7.45 g/L; 95% CI: 5.05-9.86), pre-albumin (37.59 vs 7.35 mg/L; WMD: 21.6 mg/L; 95% CI: 5.96-37.24), and transferrin (63.08 vs 50.45 mg/L; WMD: 16.44 mg/L; 95% CI: 13.51-19.38); and reduced the incidence of malnutrition or latent malnutrition (RR = 0.54; P < 0.01). Subgroup analysis based on the approach of HERN showed that weight loss in the HEN subgroup was significantly lower than that of the control group (WMD = 2.69, P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between the ONS subgroup and the control group (P = 0.1). The same results were found in albumin. Physical function (WMD: 5.29; 95% CI: 1.86-8.73) and fatigue (WMD: -8.59; 95% CI: -12.61, -4.58) dimensions in QOL were significantly better in the HERN group. No significant differences in gastrointestinal and tube-related complications.

CONCLUSION

HERN improved nutritional status and some dimensions of QOL in upper GI malignancy patients after surgery, without increasing complications. Subgroup analysis showed that HEN experienced more benefits than ONS.

Acupuncture Combined with Early Enteral Nutrition on Patients with Postoperative Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration: A Prospective Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficiency of acupuncture combined with early enteral nutrition (EEN) in patients with postoperative laparoscopic common bile duct exploration.

METHODS

A total of 200 patients with postoperative laparoscopic bile duct exploration was randomized using sealed envelopes and assigned to the convenitional, EEN, acupuncture plus convenitional and acupuncture plus EEN groups, 50 cases in each group. Twelve hours after operation, the patients in EEN groups began to receive oral enteral nutrition, and the acupuncture approach was performed by acupuncturist in acupuncture plus conventional and acupuncture plus EEN groups. Acupuncture was given at Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Xiajuxu (ST 39) with a depth of 15-20 mm, using the lifting-thrusting and twisting method to obtain Deqi sensation. The needles were maintained for 30 min. Treatment was given once daily, 3 times per section. After the intervention, the patients' characteristics, operation time, bleeding volume, postoperative time to first anal exhaust, postoperative complications including abdominal distension, diarrhea, gastric dilatation, intestinal obstruction, pharyngodynia, incision, abdominal and pulmonary infection and postoperative hospitalization days were assessed and compared in patients among 4 groups.

RESULTS

Postoperative time to first anal exhaust in the convenitional group was longer compared with the other 3 groups (P<0.05), and was shorter in the acupuncture plus EEN group than those of the convenitional, acupuncture plus convenitional and EEN groups (P<0.01). The acupuncture plus EEN group showed significant decrease in the incidence of complications and less postoperative hospitalization days compared with the other groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no readmission.

CONCLUSION

After laparoscopic bile duct exploration, acupuncture combined with EEN treatment significantly improves the patients' gastrointestinal function, reduces complications, and shortens postoperative hospitalization days.

Comparison of Early Oral Feeding With Traditional Oral Feeding After Total Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Background: The present study aimed to compare the feasibility and safety of early oral feeding (EOF) with traditional oral feeding (TOF) after radical total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent total gastrectomy from April 2016 and November 2018. These patients were divided into two groups, according to their postoperative feeding protocol: EOF group (n = 314) and TOF group (n = 433). Propensity score matching was used to balance the potential confounders, and 276 patients were selected from each group. The EOF group received oral diet on postoperative day one, while the TOF group were started on oral feeding after the passage of flatus.

Results: No significant differences were found in the postoperative complications (P = 0.426) and tolerance to oral feeding (P > 0.056) between the two groups. The changes in perioperative nutritional markers were also similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). The time to first passage of flatus or defecation (47.19 ± 12.00 h vs. 58.19 ± 9.89 h, P < 0.0001) and length of postoperative hospital stay (6.84 ± 2.31 days vs. 7.72 ± 2.86 days, P < 0.0001) were significantly lower in the EOF group compared to the TOF group.

Conclusion: EOF may be safe and feasible after radical total gastrectomy with faster recovery and no increased risk of postoperative complications.

A process and mechanism of action evaluation of the effect of early and intensive nutrition care, delivered via telephone or mobile application, on quality of life in people with upper gastrointestinal cancer: a study protocol

BACKGROUND

Cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract commonly result in malnutrition, which increases morbidity and mortality. Current nutrition best practice lacks a mechanism to provide early and intensive nutrition support to these patients. A 3-arm parallel randomised controlled trial is testing the provision of a tailored, nutritional counselling intervention delivered using a synchronous, telephone-based approach or an asynchronous, mobile application-based approach to address this problem. This protocol outlines the design and methods that will be used to undertake an evaluation of the implementation process, which is imperative for successful replication and dissemination.

METHODS

A concurrent triangulation mixed methods comparative analysis will be undertaken. The nutrition intervention will be provided using best practice behaviour change techniques and communicated either via telephone or via mHealth. The implementation outcomes that will be measured are: fidelity to the nutrition intervention protocol and to the delivery approach; engagement; acceptability and contextual factors. Qualitative data from recorded telephone consultations and written messages will be analysed through a coding matrix against the behaviour change techniques outlined in the standard operating procedure, and also thematically to determine barriers and enablers. Negative binomial regression will be used to test for predictive relationships between intervention components with health-related quality of life and nutrition outcomes. Post-intervention interviews with participants and health professionals will be thematically analysed to determine the acceptability of delivery approaches. NVivo 11 Pro software will be used to code for thematic analysis. STATA version 15 will be used to perform quantitative analysis.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this process evaluation will provide evidence of the core active ingredients that enable the implementation of best practice nutrition intervention for people with upper gastrointestinal cancer. Elucidation of the causal pathways of successful implementation and the important relationship to contextual delivery are anticipated. With this information, a strategy for sustained implementation across broader settings will be developed which impact the quality of life and nutritional status of individuals with upper gastrointestinal cancer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

27th January 2017 Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ( ACTRN12617000152325 ).

PROGRAM OF INTESTINAL REHABILITATION AND EARLY POSTOPERATIVE ENTERAL NUTRITION: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Background:

Some factors can act on nutritional status of patients operated for a gastrointestinal cancer. A timely and appropriate nutritional intervention could have a positive effect on postoperative outcomes.

Aim:

To determine the effect of a program of intestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition on complications and clinical outcomes of patients underwent gastrointestinal surgery for cancer.

Methods:

This is a prospective study of 465 patients underwent gastrointestinal surgery for cancer consecutively admitted in an oncological intensive care unit. The program of intestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition consisted in: 1) general rules, and 2) gastrointestinal rules.

Results:

The mean age of analysed patients was 63.7±9.1 years. The most frequent operation sites were colon-rectum (44.9%), gynaecological with intestinal suture (15.7%) and oesophagus-gastric (11.0%). Emergency intervention was performed in 12.7% of patients. The program of intestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition reduced major complication (19.2% vs. 10.2%; p=0.030), respiratory complications (p=0.040), delirium (p=0.032), infectious complications (p=0.047) and gastrointestinal complications (p<0.001), mainly anastomotic leakage (p=0.033). The oncological intensive care unit mortality (p=0.018), length of oncological intensive care unit (p<0.001) and hospital (p<0.001) stay were reduced as well.

Conclusions:

Implementing a program of intestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition is associated with reduction in postoperative complications and improvement of clinical outcomes in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery for cancer.

Program of gastrointestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition: a prospective study

Nutritional depletion is commonly observed in patients undergoing surgical treatment for a gastrointestinal malignancy. An appropriate nutritional intervention could be associated with improved postoperative outcomes. The study was aimed to determine the effect of a program of gastrointestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition upon complications and clinical outcomes in patients who experienced gastrointestinal surgery for cancer. This is a prospective study (2013 January-2015 December) of 465 consecutive patients submitted to gastrointestinal surgery for cancer and admitted to an Oncological Intensive Care Unit. The program of gastrointestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition consisted on: (1) general rules: pain relive, early mobilization, antibiotic prophylaxis, deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis and respiratory physiotherapy; and (2) gastrointestinal rules: gastric protection, control of postoperative nausea and vomiting, early nasogastric tube remove and early enteral nutrition. The most frequent surgical sites were colorectal (44.9%), gynecological with intestinal suturing (15.7%) and esophagus/stomach (11.0%). Emergency surgery was performed in 12.7% of patients. The program of intestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition reduced major complications (19.2 vs. 10.2%; p = 0.030), respiratory complications (p = 0.040), delirium (p = 0.032), infectious complications (p = 0.047) and gastrointestinal complications (p < 0.001). Intensive care unit mortality (p = 0.018), length of intensive care unit stay (p < 0.001) and length of hospitalization (p < 0.001) were reduced as well. A program of gastrointestinal rehabilitation and early postoperative enteral nutrition is associated with reduced postoperative complications and improved clinical outcomes in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery for cancer.

Perioperative fasting time among cancer patients submitted to gastrointestinal surgeries

OBJECTIVE

To identify the length of perioperative fasting among patients submitted to gastrointestinal cancer surgeries.

METHOD

Retrospective cohort study, developed by consulting the medical records of 128 patients submitted to gastrointestinal cancer surgeries.

RESULTS

The mean of total length of fasting was 107.6 hours. The total length of fasting was significantly associated with the number of symptoms presented before (p=0.000) and after the surgery (p=0.007), the length of hospital stay (p=0.000), blood transfusion (p=0.013), nasogastric tube (p=0.001) and nasojejunal tube (p=0,003), postoperative admission at ICU (p=0.002), postoperative death (p=0.000) and length of preoperative fasting (p=0.000).

CONCLUSION

The length of fasting is associated with complications that affect the quality of the patients' postoperative recovery and nurses' work. The nursing team should be alert to this aspect and being responsible for overseeing the patients' interest, should not permit the unnecessary extension of fasting.

OBJETIVO

Identificar la duración del ayuno perioperatorio entre los pacientes sometidos a cirugías de cáncer gastrointestinal.

MÉTODO

Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo, por consulta de los registros médicos de 128 pacientes sometidos a cirugías de cáncer gastrointestinal.

RESULTADOS

La media de la duración total del ayuno fue de 107,6 horas. La duración total del ayuno se asoció significativamente con el número de síntomas presentados antes (p=0,000) y después de la cirugía (p=0,007), la duración de la estancia hospitalaria (p=0,000), transfusión de sangre (p=0,013),tubo nasogástrico (P=0,003), ingreso postoperatorio en la UCI (p=0,002), muerte postoperatoria (p=0,000) y duración del ayuno preoperatorio (p=0,000).

CONCLUSIÓN

La duración del ayuno se asocia con complicaciones que afectan la calidad de la recuperación postoperatoria de los pacientes y el trabajo de enfermería. El equipo de enfermería debe estar alerta en relación a este aspecto y ser responsable de supervisar el interés de los pacientes, no permitiendo la extensión innecesaria del ayuno.

Early Oral Feeding After Surgery for Upper Gastrointestinal Malignancies: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

Poor nutritional status following abdominal surgeries for esophageal and gastric cancers remains a major challenge in postoperative care. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy of starting early oral feeding (EOF) in patients undergoing surgical resection of upper gastrointestinal malignancies.

METHODS

A total of 180 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of esophageal or gastric malignancies undergoing elective surgical resection between January 2008 and February 2011 were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Seventy-two patients were assigned to the EOF group, and 108 patients received late oral feeding (LOF). Postoperative endpoints were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Nasogastric tubes were removed from patients on average 3.3±1.6 days after the surgery in the EOF group and 5.2±2.5 days in the LOF group (p < 0.001). The soft diet regimen was started and tolerated significantly sooner in the EOF group (5.8±1.2 days) than the LOF group (9.5±5.5 days). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the EOF group compared to the LOF group (6.7±3.1 days vs. 9.1±5.8 days, p < 0.001). Surgical complications and rehospitalization occurred less in EOF group compared with the LOF group. However, the differences were not significant (p > 0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

EOF is safe following esophageal and gastric cancer surgery and results in faster recovery and hospital discharge.

A qualitative study into the impact of fasting within a large tertiary hospital in Australia--the patients' perspective

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This qualitative study aims to explore the physical and emotional impact of fasting from the patients' perspective.

BACKGROUND

Fasting patients in hospital is common practice and generally viewed as necessary for symptom management or for safety of healthcare provision. Negative impacts of repeated or prolonged fasting on nutritional status have been well researched, but little is documented as to how fasting impacts an individual patient's psyche.

DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive design within a tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia.

METHODS

Twelve patients having had prolonged periods of continuous or intermittent fasting were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview between January-September 2012. Questions for interview explored each patient's experience of fasting, including physical and emotional impacts, interpretation of communication regarding fasting and the process of recommencing on fluids or foods. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used.

RESULTS

Analyses showed six main themes: physical impacts; emotional impacts; food as structure; nil by mouth as jargon; fear of food re-introduction; and dissatisfaction regarding unnecessary fasting. Overwhelmingly, thirst was reported as the worst physical effect of fasting. In the first few days of fasting, patients became emotionally fixated on food. This quickly dissipated leading to a lack of appetite and fear of starting to eat again.

CONCLUSIONS

Discomfort experienced by patients coupled with lack of appetite resulting from prolonged fasting and difficulty with food re-introduction strengthens the argument for reducing fasting times in hospital. When patients are fasted, proper hydration and establishing alternate routes of medication administration should be a priority.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

It is well recognised that fasting for prolonged periods is detrimental to health outcomes, but this study also shows the distress that fasting can cause. Inadequate hospital systems and out-dated practices need to be replaced with evidence-based, patient-centred governance, addressing the physical, emotional and psychosocial impact of fasting.

Cross-Sectional Study of U.S. Interns' Perceptions of Clinical Nutrition Education

Background Medical students have historically perceived a lack of training in clinical nutrition. Rapid advances in medical science have compelled significant changes in medical education pedagogy. It is unclear what effect this has had on student's perceptions. Objective To assess interns' perception of clinical nutrition education during medical school. Design A cross-sectional survey of medical, surgical, and obstetric interns from 6 academic hospitals across the United States during the middle of their first year in November of 2010 (n = 289). Bivariate analysis and logistic regression was used to describe interns' perceptions and evaluate for factors that determined these perceptions. Results A total of 122 interns responded to the survey, for a response rate of 42%. These interns represented 72 different medical schools. Only 29% of interns reported they had been sufficiently trained in nutrition. On average, interns who reported being prepared reported a mean of 4 ± 3.4 weeks of training during medical school, while unprepared interns reported a mean of 2 ± 2.6 weeks of training (P = .02). Interns with prior graduate training in nutrition (n = 18) almost exclusively reported that medical school training was insufficient (94%, P = .02). After adjusting for age, gender, internship, undergraduate training, and being a foreign graduate, only the number of weeks of training remained significantly associated with perceived preparation (P = .03). Conclusion Most interns in medicine, surgery, and obstetrics feel unprepared to handle cases requiring knowledge of clinical nutrition. Interns feel that medical school is not adequately preparing them for the needs of clinical practice.

Early initiation of oral feeding following upper gastrointestinal tumor surgery: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

Despite increasing trends toward the early initiation of oral feeding after gastrointestinal (GI) surgeries, current evidence has not been convincing. The present randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of early oral feeding (EOF) with late oral feeding (LOF) following surgery for upper GI tumors.

METHODS

One hundred and nine consecutive patients with esophageal or gastric tumors undergoing surgical resection in two hospitals in Tehran, Iran, were enrolled in this prospective randomized controlled trial, and were randomly assigned to a group starting EOF on the first postoperative day and another group that remained nil by mouth until the return of bowel sounds (LOF group). The clinical and surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The clinical outcomes were significantly better in the patients in the EOF group (p < 0.05). Repeated nil per os (14.8 vs. 30.9 %) and re-hospitalization (1.8 vs. 7.3 %) were more common in LOF group (p < 0.0001). Additionally, gas passage, nasogastric tube (NGT) discharge, a decrease in intravenous serum to less than 1000 ml per day, the time to start a soft diet and hospital discharge following surgery occurred significantly earlier in the EOF group than in the LOF group (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Early oral feeding after the surgical resection of esophageal and gastric tumors is safe, and is associated with favorable early in-hospital outcomes and a sooner return to physiological GI function and hospital discharge.

Can the intestinal dysmotility of critical illness be differentiated from postoperative ileus?

Gastrointestinal dysmotility is commonly noted in the intensive care unit and postoperative settings. Characterized by delayed passage of stool and flatus, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention, the condition is associated with nutritional deficiencies, risk of aspiration, and considerable allocation of health care resources. Knowledge of gastrointestinal function in health and illness continues to expand. While the factors that precipitate ileus differ between postoperative and critically ill patients, the two clinical scenarios seem to have similar mechanisms and share many of the same pathophysiologic patterns. By reviewing and comparing the literature on the respective mechanisms and contributing factors generated in these separate clinical settings, a common more comprehensive management strategy may be derived with the potential for newer innovative therapeutic options.

Current perception of nutrition education in U.S. medical schools

Historically, physicians have perceived the quality of nutrition training during medical school as inadequate. A literature review suggests that this perception has not significantly changed since the 1950s. Many schools have worked to create clinical nutrition curricula for use during medical school. Interestingly, data suggest that medical students' perception of the importance of clinical nutrition can decrease during medical school. Recent data support the importance of targeted nutritional therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality, yet the number of physicians interested in nutrition appears to be declining, and fewer hours of nutrition training are occurring in medical school. One possible solution to improve both training and awareness of the problem is to implement a certification program for both students and preceptors modeled after the Cardiac Life Support training offered by the American Heart Association.

Nutrition support in surgical patients with colorectal cancer

AIM: To review the application of nutrition support in patients after surgery for colorectal cancer, and to propose appropriate nutrition strategies.

METHODS: A total of 202 consecutive surgical patients admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of colon cancer or rectal cancer from January 2010 to July 2010, meeting the requirements of Nutrition Risk Screening 2002, were enrolled in our study. Laboratory tests were performed to analyze the nutrition status of each patient, and the clinical outcome variables, including postoperative complications, hospital stay, cost of hospitalization and postoperative outcome, were analyzed.

RESULTS: The “non-risk” patients who did not receive postoperative nutrition support had a higher rate of postoperative complications than patients who received postoperative nutrition support (2.40 ± 1.51 vs 1.23 ± 0.60, P = 0.000), and had a longer postoperative hospital stay (23.00 ± 15.84 d vs 15.27 ± 5.89 d, P = 0.009). There was higher cost of hospitalization for patients who received preoperative total parenteral nutrition (TPN) than for patients who did not receive preoperative TPN (62 713.50 ± 5070.66 RMB Yuan vs 43178.00 ± 3596.68 RMB Yuan, P = 0.014). Applying postoperative enteral nutrition significantly shortened postoperative fasting time (5.16 ± 1.21 d vs 6.40 ± 1.84 d, P = 0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (11.92 ± 4.34 d vs 15.77 ± 6.03 d, P = 0.002). The patients who received postoperative TPN for no less than 7 d had increased serum glucose levels (7.59 ± 3.57 mmol/L vs 6.48 ± 1.32 mmol/L, P = 0.006) and cost of hospitalization (47 724.14 ± 16 945.17 Yuan vs 38 598.73 ± 8349.79 Yuan, P = 0.000). The patients who received postoperative omega-3 fatty acids had a higher rate of postoperative complications than the patients who did not (1.33 ± 0.64 vs 1.13 ± 0.49, P = 0.041). High level of serum glucose was associated with a high risk of postoperative complications of infection.

CONCLUSION: Appropriate and moderate nutritional intervention can improve the postoperative outcome of colorectal cancer patients.