• Laura F C Fransen, Thijs H J B Janssen, Martijn Aarnoudse, NieuwenhuijzenGrard A PGAP, and LuyerMisha D PMDP.
• Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
• Ann. Surg. 2022 May 1; 275 (5): 919-923.

ObjectiveThe aim of this single-center cohort study was to compare direct oral feeding (DOF) to standard of care after a minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) performed in a center with a stable and acceptable postoperative complication rate.BackgroundA recent multicenter, international randomized controlled trial showed that DOF following a MIE is comparable to standard of care (nil-by-mouth). However, the effect of DOF was potentially influenced by postoperative complications.MethodsPatients in this single-center prospective cohort study received either DOF (intervention) or nil-by-mouth for 5 days postoperative and tube feeding (standard of care, control group) following a MIE with intrathoracic anastomosis. Primary outcome was time to functional recovery and length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included anastomotic leakage, pneumonia, and other surgical complications.ResultsBaseline characteristics were similar in the intervention (n = 85) and control (n = 111) group. Median time to functional recovery was 7 and 9 days in the intervention and control group (P < 0.001), respectively. Length of hospital stay was 8 versus 10 days (P < 0.001), respectively. Thirty-day postoperative complication rate was significantly reduced in the intervention group (57.6% vs 73.0%, P = 0.024). Chyle leakage only occurred in the control group (18.9%, P < 0.001). Anastomotic leakage, pneumonia, and other postoperative complications did not differ between groups.ConclusionDirect oral feeding following a MIE results in a faster time to functional recovery and lower 30-day postoperative complication rate compared to patients that were orally fasted.Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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