Late Oral Feeding Prevents Weight Loss After Esophagectomy

Late oral feeding with jejunostomy support significantly reduces body weight loss compared to early oral feeding after esophagectomy. In a study of 58 esophageal cancer patients, the late group had less weight loss at 4 weeks (5.6% vs. 8.3%) and 4 months (10.5% vs. 15%). The late group also had higher calorie and protein intake, and fewer patients developed malnutrition. Both groups had similar complication rates and hospital stays.