Outcomes of patients who underwent elective esophagectomy for carcinoma and who did or did not resume oral intake within 8 postoperative days
| Outcome | Oral intake within 8 days | Oral intake after 8 days |
|---|---|---|
| Days to start oral intake, median (interquartile range) | 7 (7–7) | 15 (11–23) |
| Complications, no. | 29/74 | 36/37 |
| Anastomotic leaks, no. | 4/74 | 23/37 |
| Days of tube feeding, median (interquartile range) | 6 (5–7) | 14.5 (8–21) |
| Abdominal issues requiring feeding to be withheld, no. | 23/68 | 17/35 |