In the current study, we assessed whether sufficient nutrition was administered in the postoperative period following colorectal surgery. We compared the total energy and protein intakes from the postoperative diet and intravenous fluid in colorectal surgery patients in the following 4 groups;conventional care (C) open surgery (OC) group (C‐OC), laparoscopic surgery (LAC) group (C‐LAC), enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) (E) OC group (E‐OC), and E‐LAC group. To evaluate the effects of ERAS on postoperative intake, we compared the C‐OC group and E‐OC group, and C‐LAC group and E‐LAC group. To evaluate the effects of surgical stress on postoperative dietary intake, we compared the E‐OC group and E‐LAC group. The energy and protein intakes from food in the early postoperative period were higher in the E‐OC and E‐LAC groups than in the C‐OC and C‐LAC groups. However, the E‐OC and E‐LAC groups did not reach their estimated requirements of 25 kcal/kg/day for energy and 1.5 g/kg/day for protein. Comparing the E‐OC and E‐LAC groups, there were no significant differences in the energy or protein intake from food and intravenous fluid, but neither group met the estimated energy and protein requirements. ERAS increased the energy and protein intake from the postoperative diet, but diet alone was not sufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new postoperative diet with a low non‐protein calorie nitrogen ratio by selecting ingredients and creating a menu. We did not provide oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in this study;however, ONS administration may be beneficial to increase the postoperative energy and protein intake. Moreover, in the early postoperative period, parenteral nutrition may be required to supplement the nutritional energy and protein intake, as they are insufficient in the postoperative diet and ONS.
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