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. 1996 Apr 6;312(7035):869–871. doi: 10.1136/bmj.312.7035.869

Randomised trial of safety and efficacy of immediate postoperative enteral feeding in patients undergoing gastrointestinal resection.

C S Carr 1, K D Ling 1, P Boulos 1, M Singer 1
PMCID: PMC2350561  PMID: 8611872

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether immediate post-operative enteral feeding in patients who have undergone gastrointestinal resection is safe and effective. DESIGN: Randomised trial of immediate post-operative enteral feeding through a nasojejunal tube v conventional postoperative intravenous fluids until the reintroduction of normal diet. SETTING: Teaching hospitals in London. SUBJECTS: 30 patients under the care of the participating consultant surgeon who were undergoing elective laparotomies with a view to gastrointestinal resection for quiescent, chronic gastrointestinal disease. Two patients did not proceed to resection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nutritional state, nutritional intake and nitrogen balance, gut mucosal permeability measured by lactulose-mannitol differential sugar absorption test, complications, and outcome. RESULTS: Successful immediate enteral feeding was established in all 14 patients with a mean (SD) daily intake of 6.78 (1.57)MJ (1622 (375) kcal before reintroduction of oral diet compared with 1.58 (0.14) MJ (377 (34) kcal) for those on intravenous fluids (P < 0.0001). Urinary nitrogen balance on the first postoperative day was negative in those on intravenous fluids but positive in all 14 enterally fed patients (mean (SD) - 13.2 (11.6) g v 5.3 (2.7) g; P < 0.005). There was no difference by day 5. There was no change in gut mucosal permeability in the enterally fed group but a significant increase from the test ratios seen before the operation in those on intravenous fluids (0.11(0.06) v 0.15 (0.12); P < 0.005). There were also fewer postoperative complications in the enterally fed group (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate postoperative enteral feeding in patients undergoing intestinal resection seems to be safe, prevents an increase in gut mucosal permeability, and produces a positive nitrogen balance.

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Selected References

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