Clinical impact of early enteral nutrition support on gastrointestinal function, nutritional status, liver function, and immune function in liver cancer patients

The study compared the effects of early enteral nutrition (EEN) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in 80 liver cancer patients after surgery. The EEN group showed faster recovery of gastrointestinal function including fluid intake and bowel movements. Albumin levels were significantly higher in the EEN group (30.5 g/L versus 26.2 g/L). The EEN group had shorter hospital stay (12.5 days versus 16.8 days) and fewer adverse reactions (2.5% versus 20%). Liver function markers and immune markers improved significantly more in the EEN group. The results suggest that early enteral nutrition is more effective than parenteral nutrition in patients after liver cancer surgery.