2.2. Methods of Perioperative Nutritional Support for Both Groups
This investigation was a prospective, randomized clinical trial conducted at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Patients were randomized to one of two enteral nutrition protocols. Entenal immnuonutrition (PROSURE group: EIN, n = 30) was administered in the first group, a liquid diet providing 1.26 kcal/mL and 6.65 g of protein per 100 mL. This diet is supplemented with All participants were counseled to ingest an oral enteral supplement, equivalent to 20 kcal/kg/day, in tandem with their regular diet, commencing on the fourth day before surgery and continuing until surgery eve. Postoperative enteral nutrition was also administered from the 3rd to the 14th day after surgery. Enteral nutrition was started and increased progressively each day in a stepwise manner. This postoperative enteral nutrition was sustained even after the resumption of oral intake until approximately 14 days after surgery. The blood specimens were drawn from a peripheral vein approximately five days before surgery (baseline), then at postoperative intervals of 3 and 7 days, and again at one month.