After throat cancer surgery, many patients struggle to digest food given through feeding tubes. Researchers tested whether a special food mixture based on traditional Chinese medicine could help. They gave 80 patients either regular tube feeding or regular feeding plus the special mixture. The group that received the special mixture had fewer digestion problems, tolerated their feedings better, and recovered their nutrition faster. This suggests that adding this natural food formula to standard care might help cancer patients heal better after surgery.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a special food mixture made from traditional Chinese medicine ingredients could help patients digest tube feedings better after throat cancer surgery
  • Who participated: 80 patients with laryngeal (throat) cancer who had surgery and needed tube feeding. About half (38) got the special mixture added to their regular feeding, and half (42) got regular feeding only
  • Key finding: Patients who received the special food mixture had fewer digestion problems (50% had issues versus 71% in the regular group), their bodies absorbed more nutrition (81% versus 74%), and they started having normal bowel movements about 19 hours sooner
  • What it means for you: If you or a loved one needs tube feeding after throat cancer surgery, this formula may help your body handle the nutrition better and recover faster. However, this is one study, so talk with your doctor before trying it

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of medical studies. Researchers randomly divided 80 throat cancer patients into two groups right after surgery. One group received standard tube feeding nutrition, while the other group received the same tube feeding plus 25 grams per day of a special food mixture made from traditional Chinese medicine ingredients. The researchers carefully tracked how well each group tolerated their feedings and measured their nutrition levels over the first week after surgery.

The study was designed to be fair by randomly assigning patients, meaning neither the doctors nor patients could choose which group they joined. This helps prevent bias. The researchers measured specific outcomes like how many patients had digestion problems, how much nutrition their bodies actually absorbed, and how quickly their digestive systems started working again.

This research approach is important because it tests a real-world solution for a genuine problem. After throat cancer surgery, many patients can’t eat normally and must rely on tube feeding. However, their bodies often struggle to digest this nutrition, which slows recovery. By comparing two similar groups with only one difference (the special formula), researchers can see if the formula itself makes the difference, not other factors. This type of study gives doctors strong evidence to decide whether to recommend new treatments.

This study has several strengths: it randomly assigned patients (reducing bias), it had a reasonable number of participants (80 total), it measured specific, objective outcomes (digestion tolerance, nutrition levels), and it was registered in a clinical trial database before starting. One limitation is that it was retrospectively registered (registered after starting), which is less ideal. The study was conducted in what appears to be a single location, so results might differ in other hospitals or countries. The researchers didn’t mention whether patients or doctors knew which group was receiving the special formula, which could affect results.

What the Results Show

The special food mixture showed clear benefits for digestion after surgery. In the group receiving the mixture, only 50% of patients experienced feeding intolerance (digestion problems), compared to 71% in the regular feeding group. This means the special formula reduced digestion problems by about 21 percentage points.

Patients receiving the formula also tolerated their tube feedings much better. Their bodies absorbed an average of 81% of the nutrition being delivered, versus 74% in the regular group. While this might sound like a small difference, it means patients were actually getting more nutrition into their bodies.

Another important finding was that patients receiving the formula had their digestive systems start working again faster. On average, they had their first bowel movement about 19 hours sooner (about 3.5 days versus 4 days) than patients in the regular group. This faster recovery is a good sign that their digestive systems were functioning better.

By the seventh day after surgery, patients receiving the special formula had better nutrition levels in their blood. Their total protein levels were higher (67.30 versus 62.94 units), and their prealbumin levels were significantly higher (206.50 versus 162.22 units). Prealbumin is a protein that doctors use to measure how well someone is recovering nutritionally. Higher levels suggest the body is healing better and maintaining muscle mass, which is important for recovery after surgery.

This research builds on earlier studies showing that traditional Chinese medicine dietary approaches can help with digestion and nutrition. Previous research suggested these natural food formulas might improve gut function, but this is one of the first studies to test this idea specifically in throat cancer patients after surgery. The results support the theory that these formulas can help, though more research is needed to understand exactly why they work and whether they help other types of surgery patients.

Several factors limit how much we can apply these findings. First, the study only included 80 patients from what appears to be one hospital, so results might be different in other places or with different patient groups. Second, the study was registered after it started (retrospectively), which is less ideal for research standards. Third, the researchers didn’t clearly explain whether patients and doctors knew who was receiving the special formula, which could influence results if people expected it to work. Finally, we don’t know if the benefits lasted beyond the first week after surgery, or if they work equally well for all patients.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study, the special food formula appears to help throat cancer patients tolerate tube feeding better after surgery (moderate confidence level). If you’re facing throat cancer surgery requiring tube feeding, it’s worth discussing this formula with your surgical and nutrition team. However, this is one study, so don’t make decisions based solely on this research. Ask your doctors about the specific ingredients and whether it’s appropriate for your situation. The formula appears safe since it’s made from food ingredients, but always get medical approval before adding anything to your care plan.

This research is most relevant for people facing laryngeal (throat) cancer surgery who will need tube feeding afterward. It may also be worth discussing with doctors treating other types of cancer patients who need tube feeding. People with severe food allergies or specific dietary restrictions should discuss ingredient safety with their doctors. This research is less relevant for people who can eat normally after surgery or those with different types of cancer.

Based on this study, benefits appeared within the first week after surgery. Patients showed improvements in digestion tolerance and nutrition levels by day 7. However, we don’t know if these benefits continue beyond one week or how long patients need to take the formula. Most likely, the formula would be used during the early recovery period when tube feeding is most critical, but ask your doctor about the recommended duration.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily tolerance of tube feedings by recording: (1) percentage of prescribed nutrition actually delivered, (2) any digestion symptoms (bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation), and (3) time of first bowel movement after surgery. Rate tolerance on a simple 1-10 scale daily.
  • If using this formula, set a daily reminder to take the 25-gram dose at the same time each day. Log when you take it and note any changes in how your body tolerates tube feeding over the following days. Share these logs with your medical team at follow-up appointments.
  • Over the first 2 weeks after surgery, track feeding tolerance daily using the app. Create a simple chart showing nutrition absorption percentage and digestion symptoms. Share weekly summaries with your healthcare team to see if the formula is helping your specific situation. After 2 weeks, adjust tracking based on your doctor’s recommendations for continued use.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. The study shows promising results for a special food formula to help with tube feeding after throat cancer surgery, but it is one study with a limited number of participants. Before using this formula or making any changes to post-surgery nutrition plans, consult with your oncologist, surgeon, and registered dietitian. They can evaluate whether this approach is appropriate for your specific situation, considering your health history, allergies, and other medications. Do not start or stop any treatment based solely on this research summary.