Objective:To investigate the effect of early enteral nutrition on colorectal cancer patients based on the concept of fast track surgery(FTS). Methods:The patients with colorectal cancer were randomly divided into the early enteral nutrition group(the EEN group,n=31)and the parenteral nutrition group(the EN group,n=31),the EEN Group was given enteral nutrition support 7 days before operation and early enteral nutrition support after operation,the PN group was not intervened before operation and was given parenteral nutrition support after operation. The nutritional,inflammatory and immunity parameters,postoperative defecation time and complications were compared between the two groups at 7 days,1 day before operation and 7 days after operation. Results:One day before surgery,albumin(ALB),prealbumin(PA),interleukin 6(IL-6),CD8+,CD4+/ CD8+ parameters in the EEN group were better than those of the PN group(P < 0.05);7 days after operation,totalprotein(TP),ALB,PA,C-reactive protein(CRP),IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/ CD8+ parameters in the EEN group were better than those of the PN group(P < 0.05). The postoperative defecation time of the patients in the EEN group was significantly shorter than that of the PN group(P < 0.05)and complications had no significant difference between groups. Conclusion:Early enteral nutrition in patients with colorectal cancer can improve the nutritional status and immune function,inhibit inflammation and promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function. It is one of the effective routes for fast track surgery for colorectal cancer.