Tolerability of early oral nutrition and factors predicting early oral nutrition failure after gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Many studies have suggested the feasibility and safety of early oral nutrition after gastrectomy; however, the tolerability of early oral nutrition has rarely been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the tolerability of early oral nutrition and factors affecting early oral nutrition failure after gastrectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 565 patients with gastric cancer who had undergone gastrectomy and who had received oral nutrition on postoperative day 1. Failure of early oral nutrition was defined as cessation of at least one meal for any reason. Preoperative clinical information and operative factors were analyzed concerning an association with early oral nutrition failure. RESULTS: The tolerability of early oral nutrition after gastrectomy was 74.7%. Of 565 patients, 72 (12.7%) failed early oral nutrition due to adverse gastrointestinal symptoms, 52 (9.2%) failed due to gastric stasis or ileus, and 19 (3.4%) patients failed due to other postoperative complications. In the univariate analysis, age (≥70 years), male sex, preoperative tumor obstruction, remnant stomach cancer, open surgery, operating time (≥4 h), and an advanced preoperative stage were associated with failed early oral nutrition. Multivariable analysis of these factors revealed that male sex, preoperative tumor obstruction, operating time, and advanced preoperative stage were independent predictive factors for early oral nutrition failure after gastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The tolerability of early oral nutrition after gastrectomy was comparable to that of other gastrointestinal surgeries. A tailored approach for postoperative oral nutrition is required based on identified risk factors for early oral nutrition failure.