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.

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.