Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol is adopted in clinical practice worldwide,
but a lack of evidence for measurable benefits after upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgeries
can be detected especially regarding early oral feeding.A propensity score-matching
study was conducted at the Department of Surgery of the University of Pécs between
January 2020 and December 2023. The study included patients who underwent upper GI
cancer surgery and were treated according to an early oral feeding protocol (EOF).
Investigational and control groups were analyzed and compared from prospectively collected
datasets.We enrolled 72 patients, 36 in the EOF group, and 36 case-matched patients
in the traditional late oral feeding (LOF) group. Oral feeding in the EOF group started
on an average of 1.94 days postoperatively, while in the LOF group, it began on an
average of 5.72 days postoperatively. EOF could reduce the average length of hospital
stay. Statistically significant decreases were observed in the EOF group concerning
the time until the first bowel movements, and the length of postoperative intravenous
fluid therapy. No significant differences were detected regarding mortality, anastomosis
insufficiency, inflammation and stricture or seroma formation.Early oral nutritional
support positively impacts the recovery of patients following upper GI surgery without
increasing mortality or anastomosis insufficiency rates compared to traditional protocols.
Significant improvements were observed in quality of life indicators for patients
in the early oral feeding group. This approach aligns with ERAS goals and suggests
a valuable strategy for postoperative care in upper GI cancer surgeries.
