Nutritional index and immune function in esophageal cancer patients with early enternal nutrition

One hundred and seventeen patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were treated with radical esophagectomy from January 2011 to June 2011,among whom 63 cases received early enteral nutrition (study group) and 54 received parenteral nutrition (control group).There were no differences in serum levels of albumin (ALB),prealbumin (PAB) and transferrin (TRF) before surgery between two groups.Serum PAB and TRF levels in study group were significant higher than those in control at d8 after surgery(P ＜ 0.05),and also higher than those at d1 after surgery (P ＜ 0.05).There were no differences in immune indexes in two groups before surgery,the IgA and IgM levels were rising at d8 compared those at d1 after surgery.The total lymphocytes,CD3,CD4,CD8 and CD4/CD8 in study group at d8 were significant higher than those in control group and those at d1 after surgery.The study shows that early enteral nutrition can improve nutritional index and immune function,and to promote rapid rehabilitation in esophageal cancer patients after surgery. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms; Enteral nutrition