Integration of the PIPOST model with early enteral nutrition to enhance postoperative rehabilitation in colorectal cancer patients

Table 1 Comparison of baseline characteristics between the two patient groups, mean ± SD

	Gender (male/female)	Age (years)
Control group (n = 60)	34/26	63.12 ± 6.95
Observation group (n = 60)	32/28	62.35 ± 7.28
t	0.135	0.589
P value	0.714	0.557

This table compares the gender and age of patients in the control group and the observation group by independent samples t-test. The results showed no significant differences in gender distribution or age between the two groups (P > 0.05), indicating that the two groups were comparable.

Table 2 Comparison of biochemical nutrition between the two groups, mean ± SD

	Time	Control group (n = 60)	Observation group (n = 60)	t	P value
ALB (g/L)	Preoperative	34.26 ± 3.15	33.98 ± 3.22	0.475	0.636
	7 days after surgery	35.27 ± 3.24	38.67 ± 3.14	5.838	< 0.05
PA (mg/L)	Preoperative	242.37 ± 22.48	245.86 ± 30.56	0.712	0.478
	7 days after surgery	263.52 ± 36.18	292.54 ± 42.42	4.033	< 0.05
TF (g/L)	Preoperative	2.12 ± 0.35	2.15 ± 0.32	0.546	0.586
	7 days after surgery	2.31 ± 0.16	2.68 ± 0.29	8.552	< 0.05

This table compares the biochemical nutritional indicators (albumin, prealbumin, and transferrin) between the two groups before and after surgery by Student’s t-test. The results showed a significant increase in all the three nutritional markers in the observation group compared to the control group at postoperative day 7 (all P < 0.05). ALB: Albumin; PA: Prealbumin; TF: Transferrin.

Table 3 Comparison of immune function between the two groups, mean ± SD

	Time	Control group (n = 60)	Observation group (n = 60)	t	P value
CD4+/CD8+ ratio	Preoperative	1.73 ± 0.14	1.78 ± 0.19	1.613	0.109
	7 days after surgery	1.85 ± 0.30	2.27 ± 0.23	8.637	< 0.05
NK cell activity (%)	Preoperative	22.39 ± 3.6	23.56 ± 4.1	1.657	0.100
	7 days after surgery	29.3 ± 4.8	38.7 ± 5.2	10.288	< 0.05

This table compares the preoperative and postoperative 7-day CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio and natural killer cell activity of patients in the two groups by independent samples t-test. The results showed no significant differences in immune function indicators between the two groups before surgery (P > 0.05), while the observation group had significantly higher CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio and natural killer cell activity than the control group at postoperative day 7 (P < 0.05). NK: Natural killer.

Table 4 Comparison of gastrointestinal function recovery between the two groups, mean ± SD

	Time to first flatus	Time to first defecation
Control group (n = 60)	6.29 ± 1.53	4.53 ± 1.33
Observation group (n = 60)	4.89 ± 1.03	3.65 ± 1.09
t	5.874	3.976
P	< 0.05	< 0.05

This table compares the times to first flatus and first defecation of patients in the two groups by independent samples t-test. The results showed that the times to first flatus and first defecation of the observation group were significantly shorter than those of the control group (P < 0.05), indicating that the PIPOST model-based early enteral nutrition promotes the recovery of gastrointestinal function.

Table 5 Comparison of complication rates between the two groups

	Infection	Incision dehiscence	Lung infection	Fever	Gastrointestinal complications	Urinary tract infection	Thrombosis	Incidence (%)
Control group (n = 60)	8	5	5	3	3	2	0	43.3
Observation group (n = 60)	3	2	5	1	1	1	0	21.7
χ2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	6.42
P value	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	< 0.05

This table compares the rates of various complications and the total complication rate between the two groups by χ² test. A patient with multiple complications was counted only once in the “number of patients with complications”. The results showed that the total complication rate of the observation group (16.7%) was significantly lower than that of the control group (30.0%) (P < 0.05), and all complications were mild to moderate without severe life-threatening events.