OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of preoperative nutritional support in the management of patients with chronic radiation enteritis (CRE) with intestinal obstruction undergoing resectional surgery.

METHODSClinical data of 158 CRE patients undergoing diseased bowel resection from 2001 to 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 130 patients received preoperative nutritional support, including 28 patients with enteral nutrition support, 60 patients with total parenteral nutrition support, and 42 patients with combined nutritional support. The nutritional parameters, procedures, operation-related complications, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded.

RESULTSAfter aggressive nutritional support in 130 patients, patients nutritional index, such as serum prealbumin, transferrin, serum albumin improved significantly preoperatively, while the change of body mass index and hemoglobin was not significant. Compared to those without preoperative nutritional support, those who received preoperative nutritional support had lower stoma rate (31.5% vs. 53.6%, P=0.027), less postoperative infection rate (13.8% vs. 32.1%, P=0.019), shorter postoperative hospital stay [(14.1±7.3) d vs. (18.8±15.8) d, P=0.013). Enteral nutrition group had less postoperative infection rate (7.1% vs. 21.7%, P=0.017), lower stoma rate (28.6% vs. 48.3%, P=0.02), and shorter postoperative hospital stay [(15.5±9.6) d vs. (21.7±19.0) d, P=0.025) as compared to total parenteral nutrition group.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative nutritional support can decrease the stoma rate, postoperative infection rate, and shorten hospital stay in CRE patients complicated with intestinal obstruction. If tolerated, enteral nutrition support should be chosen.