The British journal of surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Total parenteral nutrition versus gastrostomy in the preoperative preparation of patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus.
Gastrostomy feeding has been a well established form of nutritional support for patients presenting with total dysphagia for carcinoma of the oesophagus. More recently, total parenteral nutrition has proved to be efficient and safe, offering an alternative to gastrostomy feeding. ⋯ However, gastrostomy feeding is still preferred as it is cheap, simple and safe, and allows patients to be active, mobile and self dependent. Total parenteral nutrition is reserved for those patients in whom an earlier operation is advisable.