Immunonutrition Versus Standard Enteral Nutrition Before Major Surgery

Malnutrition affects about 20-50% of all patients in hospital [1, 2]. Major surgery further increases postoperative malnutrition and immunity reduction. Therefore, postoperative complication and infection rates after major surgery exceed 30% [3-6].

The nutritional risk score (NRS) [1] is based on the ESPEN (European society of parenteral and enteral nutrition) screening guidelines and identifies patients who are likely to benefit from nutritional support. Patients with a NRS ≥ 3 are considered severely undernourished, or to have a certain degree of severity of disease in combination with certain degree of malnutrition [7].

In a prospective cohort study patients with a NRS ³ 3 had significant more infectious and overall complications after major abdominal surgery [4, 7, 8]. Several studies showed a benefit by nutritional support on complications [3, 5, 6]. International guidelines suggest therefore preoperative oral nutritional support for malnourished patients undergoing major surgery [9]. However, it remains controversial whether standard enteral nutrition (SEN) or immunonutrition (IN) is preferable [9].

IN, containing arginine, ribonucleic acid and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids aims to improve the nutritional status, immunological function and clinical outcome [5, 10].

Inclusion criteria

• All patients admitted for elective major abdominal surgery:

• Open and laparoscopic esophageal, gastric, hepatic, pancreatic, intestinal and colorectal surgery and with a NRS ≥ 3.

Exclusion criteria

• Age < 18 years
• No informed consent
• Emergency situation
• Patients not speaking french or german.