Objective: To compare the effects of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) on gastric motility and gastroenteric hormones after subtotal gastrectomy. Try to find the possible prognosticating marks for the postoperative gastroparesis.
Methods: Forty-one patients after gastrectomy were randomly divided into EN group (n = 20) and PN group (n = 21). From the first day after operation (POD + 1) to the seventh day (POD + 7), patients received either EN (EN group) or PN (PN group) with isocaloric and isonitrogenous intake. Serum gastrin (GAS), plasma motilin (MTL) and plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) were measured on preoperative day, POD + 1 and POD + 7. Electrogastrography (EGG) was measured on preoperative day, and POD + 7.
Results: On the seventh day after gastrectomy, plasma MTL and CCK levels in EN group are higher than those in PN group. There is no difference in GAS between two groups. EGG in EN group is better than that in PN group postoperatively.
Conclusions: The level of gastroenteric hormones and the gastric motility are decreased significantly after subtotal gastrectomy. In contrast with PN, EN could accelerate the recovery of some gastroenteric hormones and the gastric motility after subtotal gastrectomy. GAS, MTL, CCK and EGG are not accurate enough as the marks for prognosticating the postoperative gastroparesis.