title: Limited efficacy of early enteral nutrition in patients after total gastrectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evaluable data documenting the efficacy of early enteral nutrition (EEN) in patients after total gastrectomy are still limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of EEN through a nasojejunal tube on the recovery of patients after total gastrectomy compared with that of patients receiving only total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and sixteen patients who underwent total gastrectomy were divided into the EEN and TPN groups. The clinical recovery and postoperative complications of these two groups were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 62 patients in the EEN group and 54 in the TPN group. The postoperative length of hospital stay, time of flatus passage, and time to start a semisolid diet were similar in the two groups. In the TPN group, however, patients started a liquid diet earlier. No difference in any postoperative complications or perioperative death were found between the EEN and TPN groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since there was no significant difference regarding either the postoperative recovery course or complications, the routine placement of a nasojejunal tube for EEN is unnecessary in elective total gastrectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China. Lijunshenghd@126.com
authors.forename: Junsheng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhenling
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Congwei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Yanan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Weidong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xingtang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.forename: Wenhao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies