Abstract: Objective To evaluate the feasibility and the effect of the early postoperative enteral nutrition on improving the nutritional status, cost of nutrition and hospital stay after operation in abdominal surgery.Methods 48 patients who underwent abdominal operation were allocated into 2 groups: enteral nutrition group(EN group,23 cases) and parenteral nutrition group(PN group,25 cases). It was isonitrogenous and isocaloric intake in both groups. Each day nitrogen intake (0.18±0.02)g/kg,104.6—125.52 kJ(25—30kCal/kg). EN was given at postoperation 8 hours by naso intestinal tube which was placed 30 cm distal to ligament of Treitz or jejunal export loop. PN was provided by peripherally inserted central venous catheters(PICC). The nutritional indices were investigated. A visual analogy scale was used to estimate the infection related complication, cost of nutrition and hospital stay. These parameters were evaluated preoperatively and on the 8th day after operation.Results Early postoperative enteral nutrition showed significant nutrition effect in the patients undergoing abdominal surgery. In the EN group,the nitrogen balance became positive at the postoperative day 4,whereas the nitrogen balance still remained negative in the PN group. The EN group decreased their hospital stay and cost of nutrition compared with that of the PN group(P<0.05). Conclusion The early postoperative enteral nutrition is safe and feasible. It cannot only improve the nutritional status and intestinal function obviously, but also decreased the hospital stay and cost of nutrition compared with parenteral nutrition.

Key words: abdominal surgery, enteral nutrition, nutritional support