Early Oral Feeding in Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery: A Propensity Score-matching Study

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol is adopted in clinical practice worldwide, but a lack of evidence for measurable benefits after upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgeries can be detected especially regarding early oral feeding.

A propensity score-matching study was conducted at the Department of Surgery of the University of Pécs between January 2020 and December 2023. The study included patients who underwent upper GI cancer surgery and were treated according to an early oral feeding protocol (EOF). Investigational and control groups were analyzed and compared from prospectively collected datasets.

We enrolled 72 patients, 36 in the EOF group, and 36 case-matched patients in the traditional late oral feeding (LOF) group. Oral feeding in the EOF group started on an average of 1.94 days postoperatively, while in the LOF group, it began on an average of 5.72 days postoperatively. EOF could reduce the average length of hospital stay. Statistically significant decreases were observed in the EOF group concerning the time until the first bowel movements, and the length of postoperative intravenous fluid therapy. No significant differences were detected regarding mortality, anastomosis insufficiency, inflammation and stricture or seroma formation.

Early oral nutritional support positively impacts the recovery of patients following upper GI surgery without increasing mortality or anastomosis insufficiency rates compared to traditional protocols. Significant improvements were observed in quality of life indicators for patients in the early oral feeding group. This approach aligns with ERAS goals and suggests a valuable strategy for postoperative care in upper GI cancer surgeries.