Effects of different preoperative enteral nutrition feeding routes on the duration of gastrointestinal decompression after definitive surgery for small intestinal fistula

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of different preoperative enteral nutrition feeding routes on the duration of gastrointestinal decompression after definitive surgery for small intestinal fistula. Methods From January 2015 to June 2019, patients with small intestinal fistula and receiving a definitive surgery were enrolled. According to the feeding route, patients were divided into a nasointestinal tube group and a nasogastric tube group. Clinical characteristics of the two groups were analyzed, and the influence of the two route on the recovery of gastrointestinal function was evaluated. Result A total of 151 patients were enrolled in our study. There were 49 patients in the nasogastric tube group, and 102 patients in the nasointestinal tube group. Enteral nutrition via nasogastric feeding route had a positive effect on shortening the duration of gastrointestinal decompression (adjusted HR = 2.488, 95% CI: 1.692–3.659, P < 0.001). After propensity matching (PM), 44 patients were enrolled (22 vs 22). EN via nasogastric tube was a positive factor for getting rid of gastrointestinal decompression (adjusted HR = 3.563, 95% CI: 1.639–7.746, P = 0.001). Conclusion Preoperative enteral nutrition via nasogastric route can reduce the duration of gastrointestinal decompression after definitive surgery for small intestinal fistula.