[Effect of early enteral nutrition on immune response and clinical outcomes after esophageal cancer surgery]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of early enteral nutrition(EEN) on immune response and clinical outcomes after esophageal cancer operation.

Methods: Sixty patients with esophageal cancer undergoing radical operation between March 2010 and July 2011 were randomly divided into two groups using envelope method: EEN group(n=30, administration of water and enteral nutrition early after operation) and TPN group(n=30, administration of total parenteral nutrition). Two groups both received 7-day nutrition support. Immune indexes(CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+)) and serum nutritional indexes(albumin, pre-albumin, transferrin) were measured before operation and 1-, 3-, and 7-day after operation. The time to first flatus, length of postoperative hospital stay, total hospitalization cost, and postoperative complication were recorded.

Results: As compared to TPN group, the time to first flatus was significantly shorter in EEN group[(66.5±7.3) h vs. (75.1±6.8) h, P<0.01], as was hospital stay[(7.8±1.1) d vs. (9.3±1.3) d, P<0.01]. Total hospitalization cost[(36 210±3810) yuan vs. (39 731±4013) yuan, P<0.01] was lower in EEN group as compared to TPN group. There was no significant difference in postoperative complication rate between the two groups[13.3%(3/30) vs. 20.0%(6/30), P>0.05]. The levels of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+), albumin, prealbumin and transferrin were significantly higher in EEN group as compared to TPN group on postoperative day 3 and 7(all P<0.05), while CD8(+) was significantly lower in EEN group(P<0.05).

Conclusion: EEN can promote early recovery of gastrointestinal function, improve nutritional and immune function, and therefore lead to fast postoperative recovery in esophageal cancer patients.