Effects of early postoperative enteral nutrition versus usual care on serum albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, time to first flatus and postoperative hospital stay for patients with colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Early enteral nutrition (EEN) after surgery had been reported to decrease morbidity and mortality. However, no meta-analysis performed on nutrition status and recovery after surgery to Colorectal cancer (CRC).

Aim: We aimed to estimate effect of EEN for postoperative CRC.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials published prior to September 2017. Papers comparing EEN after surgery to traditional nutritional regimen in CRC patients were selected. The chosen articles should containe one or more of the following outcome measures: serum albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, time to first flatus and postoperative hospital stay.

Results: 2307 cases from 26 studies were included. The analysis showed that EEN was more effective in increasing serum albumin and prealbumin, promoting the recovery of gastrointestinal function, and decreasing the time of postoperative hospital stay, especially for colon cancer.

Conclusion: EEN can improve nutritional status and promote intestinal function recovery for patients undergoing CRC surgery.

Keywords:

• early enteral nutrition
• colorectal cancer
• surgery
• nutritional status
• postoperative hospital stay

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by the National Key Clinical Specialist Construction Programs of China ([2012]649).