[Sequential Post-Operative Nutrition Care at Home for Patients Receiving Surgical Treatment for Esophageal Cancer].

Objective And Methods: We evaluated the outcomes of sequential nutrition care provided at home to patients who had undergone surgery for esophageal cancer. For 44 such patients, we investigated caloric intake(kcal), percentage of preoperative body weight(%), and requests and complains related to home nutrition care every 3 months for 1 year after surgery.

Results: Duringthe observation period, the mean postoperative caloric intake decreased to a minimum level at 1 month, but nearly recovered to the baseline at 12 months. The percentage of preoperative body weight decreased postoperatively, and this decrease was maintained. The average weight percentage reached 87%at 6 months after surgery, and recovered to only 89% at 12 months. Regarding requests and complaints, many reports of digestive symptoms related to gastrointestinal surgery were reported up to 3 months postoperatively. Additionally, the large number of requests for cancellation of enteral support indicates the difficulty in managing home enteral nutrition. On the other hand, guidance about dietary quality with oral intake enhancement increased at 6 months postoperatively.

Conclusion: The aims of postoperative nutrition care should change over time with the patient's postoperative progress. In the early stage, weight loss management is important. In addition to dietary guidance with regard to digestive reconstruction, nutrition support with acceptable enteral nutrition is recommended. Guidance regarding problems with dietary behavior is needed for every patient when the digestive adaptation has advanced.