Early enteral feeding after surgery

The GI tract is an important line of defense in the body's immunologic system. Without the proper care and treatment, this defense fails, rapidly increasing critically ill patients' susceptibility to added infections and system failures. Through the initiation of enteral nutrition, the GI tract can be preserved, and thus possible avoidance of some of the complications of critical illness may occur. A review of the research has demonstrated that the initiation of enteral nutrition in critically ill or postoperative patients is feasible and cost-effective. As more research is completed, the role of the GI tract in critical illness and measures to maintain its integrity will be identified. In the meantime, the initiation of enteral nutrition is an important initiative.