Systematic review of the management of perioperative tube-fed enteral nutrition in esophageal cancer patients

Xinli Wan, Huarong Zheng, Jie Yang, Yan Zang, Hui Li, Lizhen Qin, Caixia Liu

Aim To summarize the available evidence on perioperative tube-fed enteral nutrition in esophageal cancer patients. Design This article was an evidence summary according to the evidence summary reporting standard of the Fudan University Center for Evidence-Based Nursing. Method A systematic literature search was conducted on the management of tube-fed enteral nutrition in patients with esophageal cancer. The types of literature included clinical decisions, guidelines, expert consensus, evidence summaries, and systematic evaluations. Data sources The following databases and resources were systematically searched: BMJ Best Practice, Up To Date, Guidelines International Network, National Guideline Clearing-house, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, Yi Mai Tong Guidelines Network, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, Wan Fang, CNKI, VIP, and SinoMed; and websites of relevant professional associations, including National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Cancer Society, European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism website, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition website, China Nutritional Sciences Resource Platform, and Chinese Nursing Association. The search period spanned from the database setup to November 2024. Results A total of 20 articles were included, including 2 clinical decisions, 9 guidelines, 7 expert consensus, 1 evidence summary, and 1 systematic review. A total of 40 pieces of evidence were summarized from 9 aspects: team management, nutritional risk screening and assessment, nutritional support indications, enteral nutritional support routes and timing, target nutrient requirements, enteral nutritional preparations, implementation of tube-fed enteral nutrition, maintenance of tubing, monitoring of nutritional support, and evaluation of outcomes. Conclusion This article summarizes evidence on perioperative tube-fed enteral nutrition management in patients with esophageal cancer. Clinical practitioners should select and apply evidence, considering actual medical conditions and the patient’s specific condition, to scientifically administer perioperative tube-fed enteral nutritional support in patients with esophageal cancer. Systematic review registration identifier ES20246670.