In all included trials, enteral nutrition commenced within six to 24 hours after surgery. The included patients underwent a variety of upper- and lower-gastrointestinal surgeries (including oesophageal, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal, small/large bowel, and hepatic surgery). Most of the included trials were of patients with malignant, or malignant and benign conditions (where reported). Enteral nutrition was delivered mainly through a naso-jejunal or catheter jejunostomy. Control patients received total parenteral nutrition or peripheral parenteral nutrition. Five trials were conducted in the UK.