ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of enteral nutrition support on postoperative nutritional status and clinical outcomes in patients with upper digestive tract ulcer perforation. MethodsSeventy-twe patients with upper gastrointestinal ulcer perforation who treated in Heze Municipal Hospital from 2012 to 2014 were randomly divided into early enteral nutrition (EEN) group (n=36) and parenteral nutrition (TPN)group (n=36) according to their different ways of nutrition, the body weight, body mass index, the levels of prealbumin and albumin before operation and on day 7 ofter operation were analyzed. The time of resumption of gastrointestinal function, the time of hospital stay, hospitalization cost, and postoperative complication were recorded. ResultsThere were no significant differences on levels of body weight, body mass index, serum albumin, and prealbumin before operation between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). On day 7 after operation, the levels of body weight, body mass index, prealbumin, and albumin were significantly low in both groups, and the TPN group was decreased more than EEN group (P < 0.05). The inffect complications in EEN group was lower than in TPN group, the time of resumption of gastrointestinal function in EEN group was shorter than in TPN group, and the hospital stay and hospitalization cost in EEN group were both lower than in TPN group, there were significant difference between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). ConclusionsEarly postoperative enteral nutrition for the patients with upper gastrointestinal ulcer perforation after operation can be effective to improve the nutrition status, reduce the incidence of infectious complications, promote early recovery of gastrointestinal function, reduce hospitalization cost, and accelerate the rehabilitation of patients.