Intravenous hyperalimentation as an adjunct to colon interposition for carcinoma of the esophagus

Abstract

Ten malnourished patients with undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus underwent operation for colon interposition. They received i.v. hyperalimentation preoperatively and/or postoperatively for an average time of 21.5 days and had an average weight gain of 6.5 lb. There was no significant gastrointestinal morbidity, but 1 patient succumbed to aspiration pneumonia. All 10 patients had postoperative gastrografin swallow radiography which showed no leaks in either anastomosis. With proper use of i.v. hyperalimentation, morbidity and mortality following colon interposition in the malnourished patient for palliative or curative bypass can be decreased to acceptable levels.