Table 1.

Dietary protocol of the early oral feeding group

Time point	Protocol
Day of surgery	Attempt to drink warm water (< 50 mL/h) 6 h after surgery was encouraged
Postoperative day 1	Total oral fluid intake increased up to 500 mL, enteral nutrition preparation was given
Postoperative day 2	Total oral fluid intake increased up to 1000 mL, liquid diet (such as small amounts of rice soup) started
Postoperative day 3	Total oral fluid intake increased up to 1500 mL gradually, intravenous fluid volume gradually reduced
Postoperative day 4	Frequent small amounts of oral fluids, small amounts of semi-liquid foods (such as porridge, noodles or other soft foods), intravenous fluids stopped if possible
Postoperative day 5	Frequent small amounts of oral fluids with gradual transition to total semi-liquid diet and soft foods