[Postoperative enteral nutrition]

The need for postoperative nutrition is often discussed, but no consensus has been reached regarding the assessment of this need. The common opinion is that patients who are unable to feed themselves by 5-7 days after the operation need nutritional support. This is commonly given parenterally via a central venous catheter. This method may lead to sepsis. Owing to the serious complications, alternatives have been searched for. Methods for enteral ways of support and suitable preparations have been evaluated. We have tried one of these methods together with one of the many preparations. Peptison has been administered continuously through a peroperatively placed jejunal catheter. This technique and its possible advantages are described. By this method patients can be given sufficient nutritional support with no or only few complications. We consider this method to be a good alternative to parenteral infusion.