The effectiveness of enteral nutrition for patients with primary liver cancer: A randomized controlled study protocol

Abstract

Objective:: The objective of this study is to explore the influence of the enteral nutrition on primary liver cancer patients after receiving hepatectomy.

Method:: This is a prospective randomized controlled research, which will be conducted between April 2021 and April 2022. Approval is obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of Chun’ an County First People's Hospital (A20201108). Patients who meet the following conditions will be included in this experiment:

1. (1)

   the patients aged 18 to 70 years;

2. (2)

   in line with clinical diagnostic criteria for primary liver cancer;

3. (3)

   planned liver resection for primary liver cancer;

4. (4)

   liver function status of Child-Pugh A.

Patients with the following characteristics are excluded:

1. (1)

   a history of other malignancy;

2. (2)

   mental disorder;

3. (3)

   severe diabetes or poor glycemic control;

4. (4)

   serious complications: bleeding and bile leakage;

5. (5)

   poor medical condition: renal failure, respiratory or heart failure.

Our investigation includes sixty patients who meet our inclusion criteria. The primary endpoints are length of postoperative hospital stay and liver function index. The secondary results involve the first flatus time and the first defecation time.

Results:: Table 1 indicates the postoperative outcomes between treatment group and control group.

Conclusion:: Enteral nutrition can improve recovery in the primary liver cancer patients after receiving hepatectomy.

Trial registration:: The protocol has been registered in Research Registry (researchregistry6275)