Conservative treatment with total parenteral nutrition in patients with gastroesophageal anastomotic leaks (anastomotic leaks conservatively treated).

Seventeen patients with anastomotic leaks after operation for cardiac or upper gastric cancers were treated conservatively with parenteral nutrition, antibiotics and drainage. Ten patients healed after in mean 33 days, while seven died. All febrile patients had elevation of blood urea, and four had abnormal hepatic enzymes during the parenteral nutrition. There were no significant venous or infectious complications due to the parenteral nutrition.