[Nutritional support for critical ill patients in gastrointestinal surgery]

Nutrition support is an important part of the comprehensive treatment for the critically ill patients with the pathophysiology changes of stress responses related to hypercatabolism, immunity inflammatory reaction disordered and organ dysfunction. Compared with other critical illness, gastrointestinal surgical critically ill patients have the complex characteristics of altered gastrointestinal anatomy and (or) function. Therefore, the nutritional support especially the enteral nutrition support for critical illness patients in gastrointestinal surgery is more difficult and demanding. Mastering the principles, including the timing, route, type and amount of nutrients delivered, and developing an individualized nutritional plan according to the patient's own characteristics, may help to improve its safety and tolerance. Early nutrition support, especially early enteral nutrition, can reduce complications and mortality, enhance recovery and improve outcome for gastrointestinal surgical severely ill patients.