Nutritional intake after colorectal surgery: a comparison of a traditional and a new post-operative regimen

The energy and protein intake was studied for 12 days after colorectal surgery in 36 patients. Eighteen patients followed a traditional management with nasogastric suction until bowel movements occurred after which a liquid diet, protective diet and normal food were successively administered. In a subsequent period a new regimen was introduced. Nasogastric suction was not used. Instead, 18 patients received liquid diet from the first post-operative day and normal food, when the patient wanted to eat it. In addition, the nutritional intake was supplemented by protein-enriched refreshing drinks and milk products between the meals. The new regimen was tolerated without discomfort and resulted in a significant increase in protein intake (43 g/day vs. 26 g/day, p<0.001) and energy intake (78% vs. 71% of the basal metabolic rate, p<0.05). The increase was most pronounced in the first 4 days after the operation. Finally, the weight loss was significantly lower on the new regimen (1.8 kg vs. 3.9 kg, p<0.001).