[Early enteral nutrition in gastrointestinal surgery].
In a series of twenty similar patients, having a healthy small intestine and having undergone elective surgery, two protocols of alimentation were studied. Beginning from the 8th post-operative hour, enteral alimentation is carried out by means of access to the jejunum and continued for ten days. The volume of liquid in the alimentary canal is progressively increased allowing the intravenous route to be stopped on average after 3,9 days. The high amount of the nitrogen and calory supply limits the post-operative nitrogen catabolism and rapidly restores a positive nitrogen balance. In other respects the weight loss is less than 2%, the biological constants are stable and no serious complications are linked with this technique. The early use of GI tract deals with the alimentational and electrolyte needs of the post-operative patient and diminishes the risks of iatrogenic complications of long term intravenous infusions. Relying on experimental data proving the absence of cessation of peristalsis of the small intestine in the immediate post-operative period and also the continuation of its capacity for absorption, this work demonstrates the possibility of early enteral alimentation. A better knowledge of the indications and contra-indications of this technique of feeding, of its methods of administration, and of the capabilities of absorption of the alimentary canal, must extend its indications to the high risk operative patients.