Postsurgical infections are reduced with specialized nutrition support.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to examine the relationship between pre-, peri-, and postoperative specialized nutritional support with immune-modulating nutrients and postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing elective surgery.


METHODS
Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, review article bibliographies, and abstracts and proceedings of scientific meetings. All randomized clinical trials in which patients were supplemented by the IMPACT formula before and/or after elective surgery and the clinical outcomes reported were included in the meta-analysis. Seventeen studies (n=2,305), 14 published (n=2,102), and 3 unpublished (n=203), fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Ten studies (n=1,392) examined the efficacy of pre- or perioperative IMPACT supplementation in patients undergoing elective surgery, whereas 7 (n=913) assessed postoperative efficacy. Fourteen of the studies (n=2,083) involved gastrointestinal (GI) surgical patients. Postoperative complications, mortality, and length of stay in hospital (LOS) were major outcomes of interest.


RESULTS
IMPACT supplementation, in general, was associated with significant (39%-61%) reductions in postoperative infectious complications and a significant decrease in LOS in hospital by an average of 2 days. The greatest improvement in postoperative outcomes was observed in patients receiving specialized nutrition support as part of their preoperative treatment. In GI surgical patients, anastomotic leaks were 46% less prevalent when IMPACT supplementation was part of the preoperative treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies a dosage (0.5-1 l/day) and duration (supplementation for 5-7 days before surgery) of IMPACT that contributes to improved outcomes of morbidity in elective surgery patients, particularly those undergoing GI surgical procedures. The cost effectiveness of such practice is supported by recent health economic analysis. Findings suggest preoperative IMPACT use for the prophylaxis of postoperative complications in elective surgical patients.
Waitzberg
Dan L
DL
Department of Gastroenterology, LIM 35, University of São Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, India. dan@ganep.com.br
Saito
Hideaki
H
Plank
Lindsay D
LD
Jamieson
Glyn G
GG
Jagannath
Palepu
P
Hwang
Tsann-Long
TL
Mijares
Juan M
JM
Bihari
David
D
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D007902:Length of Stay; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic