Systematic Review: Early Enteral Nutrition in Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery

Early enteral nutrition within 24 hours of lower gastrointestinal surgery versus later commencement for length of hospital stay and postoperative complications – Cochrane Library (free)

Summary: The effect of having nutrition within the first 24 hours after bowel surgery on length of hospital stay and postoperative complications – Cochrane Library (free)

This review suggests that early enteral feeding is associated with a shorter length of hospital stay. For all other outcomes (postoperative complications, mortality, adverse events, and QoL) the findings are inconclusive.