Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2023, 167(2):145-151 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2022.009

Preoperative nutritional support for patients undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgery - does it really work?

Milan Tesar^{1, 2}, Veronika Kozusnikova¹, Lubomir Martinek^{1, 2}, Stefan Durdik³, Peter Ihnat^{1, 2}

¹ Department of Surgery, University Hospital Ostrava, 17. listopadu 1790, Ostrava 708 52, Czech Republic

² Department of Surgical Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Syllabova 19, Ostrava 703 00, Czech Republic

³ Department of Oncosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Commenius University, Spitalska 24, Bratislava 813 72, Slovak Republic

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of preoperative administration of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on the self-sufficiency, physical status, and nutritional status of patients undergoing elective colorectal resections.

Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted in a single institution. Patients scheduled to undergo colorectal cancer surgery were randomized to either ONS twice per day for 7 days before surgery or no ONS.

Results: We enrolled 120 patients in the study. The two study groups had comparable hospital stay times and comparable numbers of postoperative complications. Laboratory parameter (albumin and prealbumin) values declined in the postoperative period, but differences between study groups were not significant. The groups had comparable arm circumference measurements, muscle mass and fat proportions, and water weights. Patient self-sufficiency in the postoperative period was comparable between groups (P=0.313). Lower limb force declined after surgery, but differences between the groups were not significant (P=0.579).

Conclusion: Preoperative administration of ONS to patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery did not reduce postoperative morbidity or enhance recovery. Moreover, patient self-sufficiency, physical status, and nutritional status were not influenced by preoperative ONS. Patients should be properly selected for malnourishment before providing nutritional support to manage costs efficiently. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03930888).

Keywords: nutritional supplements, malnutrition, colorectal cancer, self-sufficiency, postoperative morbidity

Received: December 8, 2021; Revised: January 28, 2022; Accepted: February 14, 2022; Prepublished online: March 1, 2022; Published: June 12, 2023  Show citation