International Journal of Clinical Research

Objective To evaluate the effect of nasogastric feeding on reducing complications after radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with head and neck tumors, and to assess its role in improving nutritional status and reducing the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Methods This study was conducted in our hospital from May 2022 to January 2024, selecting 60 patients who received radiotherapy and chemotherapy for head and neck tumors. All patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). Patients in the experimental group were given nasoenteral feeding during radiotherapy and chemotherapy to ensure adequate nutritional support. The control group patients received routine oral nutritional supplementation treatment. During the research process, the nutritional status, incidence of oral mucosal inflammation, degree of swallowing difficulties, and the occurrence of other complications related to radiotherapy and chemotherapy were evaluated by observing two groups of patients before and 14 days after synchronous radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and after the end of synchronous radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The nutritional status of the experimental group patients during radiotherapy and chemotherapy was better than that of the control group, manifested by a smaller decrease in weight and higher levels of serum albumin and total protein (P<0.05). The swallowing pain score of the experimental group patients did not show a significant increase from before treatment to after treatment, while the control group showed an upward trend. The incidence of nausea and vomiting symptoms was lower in the control group (P<0.01). The quality of life assessment showed that there was no significant decrease in the quality of life of the experimental group, while the control group showed a significant decrease (P<0.01). Conclusion Nasal enteral feeding, as a safe and effective nutritional support method, has demonstrated significant clinical value in patients with head and neck tumors during radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and is worthy of promotion and use in clinical practice.

Feeding through nasal empty intestine tube; Head and neck tumors; Chemotherapy and radiotherapy; Complication; Nutritional support