IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-6-3-10367 Original Research Paper A Comparison of Postoperative Early Enteral Nutrition with Delayed Enteral Nutrition in Patients with upper gastrointestinal malignancies: A study at tertiary cancer center in south India. Arjunan Dr. Vikas sharma Dr. Yeshwant Rajagopal Dr. Vijay CR Dr. March 2017 6 3 01 02 ABSTRACT

 Introduction: Surgical resection is one of the treatment of choice of upper gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Malnutrition is one the most common complication of upper GI malignancies and constitutes major cause of morbidity especially in first week after operation. We present role of early enteral feeding in minimizing postoperative morbidity and improving outcome. The aim of our study is to investigate he role of early enteral feeding (EEF– in form of feeding jejunostomy) on postoperative outcomes after resection and reconstruction of upper GI tract malignancies. Methods: Between January 2015 to December 2016, 48 consecutive patients with upper GI tract malignancies who had undergone complete resection and reconstruction were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided equally in two groups of control and EEF. Control group was treated with traditional management of nil by mouth and intravenous fluids for the first five to seven postoperative days and then with liquids and enteral regular diet when tolerated. In EEF group the patients were fed by tube jejunostomy from 1st postoperative day and assessed for nutritional status before surgery and 5 days after surgery. Both groups were monitored on the basis of  clinical and para–clinical parameters and postoperative complications. Results: Forty eight patients were equally divided to two equal groups. Both groups were operated by same surgical procedures. Basic nutritional status and demographic characters were found to be similar in both the groups. On 5th postoperative day serum albumin was 4.29 g/dl in EEF and 3.57g/dl in control group (p= 0.000), total protein was 6.92in EEF and 6.58in control group(p=0.043). Moreover, hospital stay was shorter in EEF group (6 vs 11 days, p=0.000).There were five (20.8%) anastomotic leakages in control group and two (8.3%) in EEF group. Also there was six (25%) wound infection in control group and three (12.5%) in EEF group. Conclusion: Postoperative morbidity and complications can be reduced by providing EEF in patients with upper GI malignancies.  Tube jejunostomy may be considered as an effective method for postoperative EEF. It restores nutritional status and reduces postoperative complications like anastomotic leak and wound infection.