Early versus late oral feeding regimens following esophagectomy: a propensity score-matched observational cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The optimal time to resume oral intake after esophagectomy remains debated, with practices varying across centers.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective cohort study compared early and late oral feeding regimens after esophagectomy. Perioperative care was identical except for the feeding regimen. Early oral feeding began immediately post-surgery, while late oral feeding started on postoperative day 4 after swallow examination, with jejunostomy for early enteral tube feeding. Propensity score matching was used to reduce confounding. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included complications, need for an alternative feeding route, hospital stay, readmission, and 90-day mortality.

Results

Between May 2017 and October 2023, 406 pati

SUBMITTER: Kooij CD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12490072 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature