title: Enteral glutamine supplementation in surgical patients with head and neck malignancy: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glutamine supplementation is a novel approach to perioperative nutritional management.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a prospective randomized clinical trial of effects of enteral glutamine supplementation in surgical patients with head and neck malignancy in a tertiary center. This study measured the effects of supplementation within 4 weeks of the postoncologic surgical period in relation to fat-free mass, serum albumin, and quality of life scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population consisted of 44 patients. There was significant difference in serum albumin (p < .001), fat-free mass (p < .001), and quality of life scores (p < .05) between control and interventional groups. Significant correlation exists between fat-free mass and quality of life score difference in our study population (p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enteral glutamine supplementation significantly improves fat-free mass, serum albumin, and quality of life scores postoperatively and maintenance of lean body mass correlated with improved postoperative outcomes in terms of the patient's quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mawaddah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azman
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohd Razif
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mohd Yunus
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Suhaina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sulaiman
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Syed Nabil
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Syed Omar
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005973:Glutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012709:Serum Albumin; D005973:Glutamine
keywords: glutamine; head and neck; malignancy