[Pre- and postoperative nutritional management in gastric cancer patients]

Pre and postoperative metabolism of electrolytes and protein were studied in gastric cancer patients. Eight patients who underwent distal subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer, were treated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) from the third day before surgery to the tenth day after surgery. Twelve patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer were treated with enteral nutrition (EN, T-330, ED-AC) and TPN in the early postoperative phase. The results were as follows. 1) P which existed in intracellular space showed a decrease in the plasma level and a negative balance in the early postoperative phase. Thereafter, the plasma level of P ion increased and a positive balance was observed. 2) Ca showed a positive balance during the observation period. 3) The level of prealbumin and retinol-binding protein decreased to some extent after surgery, but came up to the preoperative level on the seventh postoperative day in enteral nutrition (T-330) after total gastrectomy. 4) Nitrogen balance was observed to show a positive balance on the seventh postoperative day. There was no statistical difference between the three groups. 5) There were significant relationships between the serum albumin level and the development of postoperative complications.