ObjectiveTo compare the outcome between two nutrition support methods, total enteral nutrition (TEN) and enteral nutrition combined with parenteral nutrition, in infants after ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair operation. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 76 infants who underwent VSD repair operation in Xinhua Hospital in 2012 year. There were 46 males and 35 females aged 1.6-11.9 (5.5±2.5) months. Nutrition support was started from the first day after operation. There were 35 patients in the group A with TEN 60 kcal/(kg·d), and 41 patients in the group B with both enteral nutrition at 30 kcal/(kg·d) and parenteral nutrition at 30 kcal/(kg·d). ResultsThere was no statistical difference between two groups in demography data and preoperative clinical indicators. The number of patients suffered abdominal distension and gastric retention was more in the group A (22.9% vs. 4.9%, 68.6% vs. 2.4%, P<0.05). There was no difference in diarrhea. The completion of nutrition support in the group A was worse than that in the group B. In the group A, only 40% of the goal calorie was finished on the first and the second day after operation. It was improved until the third day, and the goal calorie could be finished on the seventh day. In the group B, the nutrition support method could be finished on the first day. The prealbumin level in the group B was significantly higher on the third, fifth and seventh day (P<0.05). The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level in the two groups on the first day after operation was higher than that before operation (P<0.05), and persisted in the group A, while decreased to the normal level gradually in the group B. Following up to discharge, the weight was higher and the length of stay was shorter in the group B (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the cost of hospitalization between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe nutrition support method, enteral nutrition combined with parenteral nutrition, is better than TEN for infants after VSD repair operation.