Intolerability to postoperative early oral nutrition in older patients (≥70 years) undergoing gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A case-control study.

Abstract

BackgroundPostoperative early oral nutrition has increasingly been adopted for patients undergoing gastrectomy. However, intolerability to early oral nutrition remains a major concern, especially in older patients. This study aimed to investigate early oral nutrition intolerability in older patients who had undergone gastrectomy.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 825 patients who had undergone gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma between 2017 and 2019. All patients received an oral diet on postoperative day 1. Patients were divided into older (≥70 years) and younger (ResultsAmong the 825 patients (≥70 years, n = 286; ConclusionsPostoperative early oral nutrition can safely be adopted for older patients undergoing gastrectomy, with acceptable intolerability and surgical outcomes.