To investigate the safety and clinical outcomes of early oral feeding after laparoscopic surgery of colorectal cancer.

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted from March 2012 to March 2013 in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xuzhou Hospital, Medical College of Southeast University. A total of 120 patients with colorectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into early oral feeding group (60 cases) and conventional oral feeding group (60 cases). Clinical parameters, markers of nutrition and postoperative complications were evaluated in both groups postoperatively.

One hundred and three patients eventually completed the study, including 58 cases in early oral feeding group and 45 cases in conventional oral feeding group. Compared to the conventional oral feeding group, the first postoperative time of flatus was significantly shorter in the early oral feeding group [(51.8±11.0) h vs (64.2±12.3) h, t=-5.39, P=0.000], as were the first passage of stool [(65.9±8.5) h vs (73.2±13.7) h, t=-2.94, P=0.004], and medical cost [(42 880±5 460) RMB vs (46 250±7 730) RMB, t=-2.35, P=0.021]. The levels of albumin and prealbumin were significant higher in the early oral feeding group as compared to the conventional oral feeding group on the 7th postoperative day (P<0.05). The differences of length of hospital stay, anastomotic leakage, pulmonary infection, wound infection, gastric retention and diarrhea were not statistically significant between the two groups. The rate of early oral feeding reached as much as 86.21% (50/58).

Early oral feeding after laparoscopic surgery of colorectal cancer is safe and effective. It can promote the intestinal function recovery and improve the nutritional status.