title: Nutrition and the surgical patient.
abstract: The importance of surgical patients' nutritional status has been clearly established, yet inadequate dietary provision continues to be common in surgical units. Susan Holmes describes the metabolic response to surgery and offers guidance on how the nutritional needs of these vulnerable patients can be met.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D001481:Basal Metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative