Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) combined with postoperative hydroxyethyl starch on postoperative stress indicators in patients with early upper gastrointestinal cancer.Methods A total of 108 patients with early upper gastrointestinal cancer who underwent surgical treatment at Handan First Hospital from January 2021 to January 2025 were enrolled, and divided into an observation group and a control group according to different treatment regimens. There were 53 patients in the control group who received ESD, and 55 patients in the observation group who received ESD combined with postoperative hydroxyethyl starch therapy. The postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function, as well as the levels of inflammatory factors, oxidative stress indicators and nutritional indicators before surgery and at 1 week after surgery were compared between the two groups. All patients were followed up for 3 months after surgery to record the incidence of complications and the local recurrence rate.Results The first time to flatus, first time to defecation, time to abdominal pain relief, and time to resumption of oral intake were all shorter in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Postoperative levels of IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The changes in IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α levels before and after treatment were smaller in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Postoperative levels of MDA, Cor, CRP, and NE were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The changes in these indicators before and after treatment were also smaller in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Postoperative levels of ALB, Hb, and TP were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05), while the changes in these indicators before and after treatment were smaller in the observation group (P < 0.05). The local recurrence rate was lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusion ESD combined with postoperative hydroxyethyl starch is helpful to reduce postoperative stress and improve postoperative nutrition and gastrointestinal function in patients with early upper gastrointestinal cancer.