Immediate enteral feeding after abdominal surgery.

Enteral feeding by nasoenteral tube was begun immediately after surgery of the alimentary tract in 120 patients. In 37 cases the feeding was delivered proximally to a fresh anastomosis or enterotomy. Immediate enteral feeding was well tolerated even after major elective surgery of the gastrointestinal tract. The feeding promoted recovery of bowel function and evoked no major complications. Abdominal discomfort and diarrhea were the most common side effects. The response was less favorable after nonelective surgery associated with intraabdominal or systemic sepsis.