Efficacy of arginine-enriched enteral formulas in the reduction of surgical complications in head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Arginine improves healing and modulates inflammation and the immune response. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess whether arginine-enriched enteral formulas reduce complications (fistulas, wound infections, other infections) and hospital length of stay (LoS) in patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer.


METHODS
Medline, CENTRAL, and Trip Database were searched using the search strategy "Head and Neck Neoplasms" AND "Enteral Nutrition" AND "Arginine" OR "Immunonutrition". Inclusion criteria comprised: type of study (RCT), language (English, Spanish), outcomes (complications of surgery, LoS), and methodological quality (Jadad scale). The odds ratio (OR) and confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method, and the mean difference (MD) with the random effects method. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q.


RESULTS
Six studies were included, with 397 patients receiving peri/postoperative enteral nutrition with different doses of arginine (6.25-18.7 g/L). Enteral formulas containing arginine were associated with a reduction in fistulas [OR = 0.36 (95% CI 0.14-0.95), p = 0.039; Q = 3.93, p = 0.269], and LoS [MD = -6.8 (95% CI -12.6 to -0.9) days, p = 0.023; Q = 2.44, p = 0.486]. There were no reductions in wound infections [OR = 1.04 (95% CI 0.49-2.17), p = 0.925; Q = 1.60, p = 0.809] or other infections [OR = 0.79 (95% CI 0.48-1.31); p = 0.369; Q = 7.94, p = 0.094]. Arginine administration did not increase the occurrence of diarrhoea [OR = 1.80 (95% CI 0.50-6.52), p = 0.375; Q = 0.16, p = 0.691].


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of arginine-enriched enteral nutrition led to a significant reduction in fistulas and hospital stay in patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer.
Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Altos de Nava SN, 24008 León, Spain. Electronic address: avcyo@hotmail.com.
Alfonso
A
Vidal-Casariego
Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Altos de Nava SN, 24008 León, Spain.
Alicia
A
Calleja-Fernández
Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Altos de Nava SN, 24008 León, Spain.
Rocío
R
Villar-Taibo
Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Altos de Nava SN, 24008 León, Spain.
Georgios
G
Kyriakos
Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Altos de Nava SN, 24008 León, Spain.
María D
MD
Ballesteros-Pomar
D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001120:Arginine
Arginine; Enteral nutrition; Head and neck cancer; Immunonutrition; Meta-analysis; Systematic review