Parenteral nutrition versus enteral nutrition after gastric cancer surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gastric cancer is a major cause of cancer mortality globally, and surgery is the primary curative treatment. Postoperative malnutrition is common and can delay recovery. Providing effective nutritional support after surgery is therefore essential, but whether parenteral nutrition (PN) or enteral nutrition (EN) offers greater clinical benefit remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of PN and EN on hospital stay and nutritional outcomes in gastric cancer patients after surgery.

Methods

A thorough search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted following the PICOS principles to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to August 2025. Eligible studies enrolled gastric cancer patients who received

SUBMITTER: Yang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12780562 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature