Patients operated on for pancreas head cancer were investigated postoperatively. Fifteen patients (Group I) were treated with FREKA TRELUMINA tube (they benefited of safe gastric emptying and jejunal feeding), 5 patients (Group II) did not receive this treatment. Laboratory results were measured preoperatively, on the first, 4th and 10th days. Bowel movements were monitored. All patients were received Total Parenteral Nutrition--25 kcal/kg/day. Group I received on the first postoperative day 500 ml tea, from the second day we gradually increased the oral intake to a maximum of 1500 mls. Patients in Group II were fed only parenterally.
Results: In Group I the first bowel sounds could be heard on the 3rd postoperative day, the first stool was detected on the 3rd-4th. Laboratory results of the first postoperative day were compared to results of the 10th day. Serum protein changed from 47.7 to 59 g/l (p < 0.001), albumin rose from 26.9 to 32.5 g/l (p < 0.012), C-reactive protein reduced from 119.7 to 66.05 mg/l (p < 0.014). Changes in retinol-binding protein, prealbumin and immunoglobulin were not significant. In Group II were no significant laboratory changes. First bowel movements were detected on the 8th day. Clinical stay was no longer than in Group I. Though FREKA TRELUMINA delays natural gastric emptying, it enables early enteral nutrition, patients feel better with increased peristalsis, and the use of the tube is cost-effective.