title: The role of objective measurement of skeletal muscle function in the pre-operative patient.
abstract: The clinical value of objective measurement of skeletal muscle function was studied in 37 pre-operative patients with carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract. Muscle function was determined in the adductor pollicis muscle of the thumb after stimulation of the ulnar nerve at the wrist. There was a difference in the force-frequency relationship (F10/F100) between patients with a recalled weight loss of 5 kg or more in the 3 months prior to admission compared to those who had not lost weight. Muscle function was normalized by 7 days of pre-operative intravenous nutrition. Pre-operative measurement of skeletal muscle function enabled identification of patients who subsequently developed a post-operative complication with a specificity of 89%, sensitivity of 39% and predictive index of 78%. Objective measurements of skeletal muscle function are of potential value for the prediction of post-operative complications, and may help to define patients who need nutritional support.
authors.affiliation: University Surgical Unit, Clinical Sciences Centre, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, S5 7AU UK.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zeiderman
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: McMahon