Feeding through a tube vs. vein: which heals gut leaks faster?
NCT ID NCT03742752
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compared two ways of feeding patients who developed a leak (fistula) after upper gastrointestinal surgery: feeding through a tube into the gut (enteral nutrition) versus feeding through a vein (parenteral nutrition). The goal was to see if enteral nutrition could help close the leak faster. The trial was stopped early after enrolling only 6 people, so no strong conclusions can be drawn.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that enteral nutrition helps close fistulas faster than parenteral nutrition, improving recovery after upper GI surgery.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was terminated early with only 6 participants, so results are very limited. It is unclear if enteral nutrition is truly better, and more research is needed.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hôpital Claude Huriez, CHU
Lille, France
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