Enteral feeding in esophageal surgery.

Malnutrition is frequently associated with esophageal cancer. To maintain and improve nutrition during the stress of esophagectomy early postoperative enteral feeding was used in surgical patients. Minor complications such as jejunal tube dislodgment, metabolic derangements, and feeding-related gastrointestinal complications occurred, all of which were easily corrected. Nutritional status was maintained or improved in most patients and the actual cost compared to a calculated cost of an equinitrogenous, equicaloric parenteral solution was much less.