Total parenteral nutrition versus gastrostomy in the preoperative preparation of patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus

Abstract

Gastrostomy feeding has been a well established form of nutritional support for patients presenting with total dysphagia for carcinoma of the oesophagus. More recently, total parenteral nutrition has proved to be efficient and safe, offering an alternative to gastrostomy feeding. Twenty-four patients were randomly selected into two groups to compare the efficacy of total parenteral nutrition and gastrostomy feeding with respect to nitrogen balance and weight gain. Total parenteral nutrition was found to be superior to gastrostomy feeding in achieving an earlier positive nitrogen balance and greater weight gain during a 4-week period. However, gastrostomy feeding is still preferred as it is cheap, simple and safe, and allows patients to be active, mobile and self dependent. Total parenteral nutrition is reserved for those patients in whom an earlier operation is advisable.