Application of intervention bundles in enteral nutrition for patients with esophageal cancer

Objective To investigate the value of intervention bundles in enteral nutrition for patients with esophageal cancer. Methods From October 2014 to September 2015, 226 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were collected. From April 2015 to September 2015, 109 patients (intervention group) were treated with intervention bundles during perioperative period, and from October 2014 to March 2015, 117 patients (control group) were treated by routine intervention. Results The albumin, prealbumin, and transferrin showed no significant difference (all P>0.05) before treatment but were significantly different on the eighth day[albumin: (38.2±3.5)g/L vs. (36.3±4.8)g/L, P=0.001; prealbumin: (126.7±52.8)g/L vs. (72.9±42.3)g/L, P=0.001; transferrin: (2.9±1.2)g/L vs. (2.1±1.6)g/L, P=0.001]. The incidence of complications was 11.01% (12/109) in intervention group and 21.37% (25/117) in control group (χ2=4.422, P=0.035). In addition, the postoperative exhaust time[(52.8±10.9)h vs. (58.7±14.3)h, P=0.001], time to the removal of chest drainage tube[(3.5±0.9)d vs. (4.8±1.3)d, P=0.001], postoperative hospital stay[(11.2±1.3)d vs. (12.1±1.5)d, P=0.001], and hospital costs[(37±4) thousand yuan vs. (39±5) thousand yuan, P=0.004] were also significantly shorter or smaller in the intervention group. Conclusions Intervention bundles is clinically valuable in the early enteral nutrition for patients with esophageal cancer. It can improve the nutritional status of patients, reduce complications, and improve the clinical outcomes. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms; Enteral nutrition; intervention bundles