Objective: To investigate the impact of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solution therapy on the postoperative recovery of patients after gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: Ninety patients scheduled to undergo gastrointestinal surgery in our hospital during January 2009 to December 2009 were randomly divided into the HES group, albumin (ALB) group and control group. All the patients received parenteral nutrition at the same energy intake within the first 3 days after surgery. In addition, the HES group was supplied with hydroxyethyl starch (500 mL) daily, and the ALB group was supplemented with albumin (10 g) daily, while the control group was given adequate amount of crystalloid solution. The serum albumin concentration and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were measured before surgery and on POD 1, 4 and 7, and the incidence of postoperative complications and length of postoperative hospital stay were also observed. Results: The preoperative clinical data, preoperative albumin level, operative time and intraoperative blood loss of the 3 groups were comparable (P>0.05). On POD 1, the serum albumin concentrations and CRP levels had no significant differences among the 3 groups (all P>0.05); on POD 4, the serum albumin level of control group was significantly lower than that of HES and ALB group (both P<0.05), but no difference was noted between the HES and ALB group (P>0.05). The CRP level of HES group was significantly lower than that of control and albumin group (both P<0.05), but no difference was found between the control and ALB group (P>0.05); on POD 7, the serum albumin concentrations and CRP levels of the 3 groups had no obvious differences (all P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications of the 3 groups had no statistical difference (P>0.05). The length of postoperative hospital stay of control group was significantly longer than that of HES and ALB group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: HES solution supplement in the early postoperative period of gastrointestinal surgery can effectively reduce the use of albumin, control postoperative inflammatory response, and shorten the length of postoperative hospital stay.