ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of fast track surgery (FTS) on insulin resistance indexes in esophageal cancer patients.MethodsA total of 68 esophageal cancer patients receiving radical operation in our hospital from November 2009 to March 2011 were randomly divided into 2 groups by envelope method:FTS group ( n =34) and control group ( n =34 ).The postoperative first passage of gas by annus and defecation,postoperative hospital stay,hospitalization expenditure,and postoperative complications were recorded.Insulin resistance indexes were measured before operation as well as on the 1st,3rd,and 7th postoperative days,including fasting blood-glucose (FBG),fasting insulin (FINS),serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6),and C-reactive protein (CRP).The insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated at the same time points.ResultsThe postoperative time of first passage of gas [ ( 1.91 ± 1.13 ) d vs.(2.95 ± 1.25 ) d,P =0.000 ] and defecation [ ( 3.75 ± 1.54 ) d vs.(4.84 ± 1.76) d,P =0.007] in FTS group were significantly shorter compared with control group,and the total hospitalization expenditure was significantly lower in FTS group [ (3.19±0.42) ten-thousand yuan vs.(3.98 ±0.36) ten-thousand yuan,P =0.000 ].The preoperative insulin resistance indexes showed no signifcant differences between the two groups ( all P ＞ 0.05 ).One day after operation,the levels of log-HOMA-IR (0.97 ± 0.52vs.1.54±0.57,P=0.000),FINS [ (11.87±4.55) μU/ml vs.(17.16±6.90) μU/ml,P=0.000],IL-6[ (124.15±21.39) ng/Lvs.(138.78±23.60) ng/L,P.=0.009],and CRP [ (62.92±14.78) mg/L vs.(71.07 ± 14.51 ) mg/L,P =0.025 ] in FTS group were significantly lower than those in control group.Three days after operation,the levels of log-HOMA-IR (0.86 ± 0.47 vs.1.27 ± 0.58,P =0.002),FINS [ ( 9.56 ± 4.37 )μU/mlvs.(14.91±6.54) μU/ml,P=0.000],IL-6 [ (140.94±25.12) ng/Lvs.(153.89±24.06) ng/L,P=0.035],and CRP [ (138.59 ±21.61) mg/L vs.(153.17 ±25.20) mg/L,P=0.019] in FTS group were significantly lower than those in control group.Seven days after operation,the level of CRP in FTS group was significantly lower than that in control group [ (53.07 ± 15.84 ) mg/L vs.( 61.59 ± 16.28 ) mg/L,P =0.032 ].ConclusionFTS may promote the early recovery of gastrointestinal function,reduce stress reaction and postoperative insulin,thus being conducive to fast rehabilitation of esophageal cancer patients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of early enteral nutrition(EEN) on immune response and clinical outcomes after esophageal cancer operation.

METHODSSixty patients with esophageal cancer undergoing radical operation between March 2010 and July 2011 were randomly divided into two groups using envelope method: EEN group(n=30, administration of water and enteral nutrition early after operation) and TPN group(n=30, administration of total parenteral nutrition). Two groups both received 7-day nutrition support. Immune indexes(CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+)) and serum nutritional indexes(albumin, pre-albumin, transferrin) were measured before operation and 1-, 3-, and 7-day after operation. The time to first flatus, length of postoperative hospital stay, total hospitalization cost, and postoperative complication were recorded.

RESULTSAs compared to TPN group, the time to first flatus was significantly shorter in EEN group[(66.5±7.3) h vs. (75.1±6.8) h, P<0.01], as was hospital stay[(7.8±1.1) d vs. (9.3±1.3) d, P<0.01]. Total hospitalization cost[(36 210±3810) yuan vs. (39 731±4013) yuan, P<0.01] was lower in EEN group as compared to TPN group. There was no significant difference in postoperative complication rate between the two groups[13.3%(3/30) vs. 20.0%(6/30), P>0.05]. The levels of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+), albumin, prealbumin and transferrin were significantly higher in EEN group as compared to TPN group on postoperative day 3 and 7(all P<0.05), while CD8(+) was significantly lower in EEN group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEEN can promote early recovery of gastrointestinal function, improve nutritional and immune function, and therefore lead to fast postoperative recovery in esophageal cancer patients.

Enteral Nutrition ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Nutrition Assessment ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period