OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of enteral nutrition(EN) on liver function and inflammatory response after abdominal operation in patients with liver dysfunction.

METHODSA prospective multicenter study was conducted. Patients requiring EN for at least 5 days after abdominal surgery with at least 1 abnormal liver function index were included. After operations, EN suspensions(TPF-FOS) were administered for 5 days after the return of bowel function with targeted content of 125.52 kJ(30 kcal)·kg(-1)·d(-1) maintained for a minimum of 3 days. Levels of serum pre-albumin, C-reaction protein(CRP), and liver function index were measured and the incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS) was recorded before operation and 6 days after EN. Occurrence of gastrointestinal discomfort was monitored during the treatment.

RESULTSNo statistically significant difference was found in pre-albumin between preoperative level and post-EN level[(175.94±71.79) mg/L vs.(192.22±91.26) mg/L, P=0.162]. Patients with abnormal level of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase were less after EN compared to the preoperative period(30 vs. 40, P=0.041), as was total bilirubin (3 vs. 9, P=0.034). No significant differences in other indices of liver function were found. Total bilirubin and direct bilirubin decreased after EN support(P=0.000 and P=0.015, respectively). CRP was notably reduced after EN support [(48.74±65.16) mg/L vs.(25.79±23.63) mg/L, P=0.009] and the incidence of SIRS largely declined after EN support(19.0% vs. 10.3%, P=0.059). The incidence of gastrointestinal discomfort was 22.4% on postoperative day 1 and declined to 19.0% on postoperative day 5.

CONCLUSIONFor patients with liver dysfunction, enteral nutrition support with TPF-FOS after abdominal operation can reduce inflammatory response, improve liver function, and maintain serum protein level.