Precision Dietary Intervention Improves Postoperative Energy Intake, Nutritional Status, and Recovery in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy for Liver Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective:To explore the application effect of postoperative refined early dietary plan in the enhanced recovery of patients undergoing hepatectomy for primary liver cancer, and to provide scientific evidence for optimizing postoperative dietary structure and increasing oral energy intake of patients.

Methods:In this randomized, parallel-controlled trial, 142 colorectal cancer survivors meeting inclusion criteria were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Hefei, Anhui Province. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the dietary intervention group or the conventional diet group. Both the standard care group and the dietary intervention group received 5 days of routine dietary care. The dietary intervention group additionally received specialized meal plans and whole protein supplements beyond the standard care regimen. Dietary intake, nutritional status, and postoperative recovery outcomes were measured and compared between the two groups.

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Key information

Conditions

Primary Liver Cancer Adenocarcinoma Carcinoma Carcinoma, Hepatocellular Digestive System Diseases Digestive System Neoplasms Liver Diseases Liver Neoplasms Neoplasms Neoplasms by Histologic Type Neoplasms by Site Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Anhui Provincal Hospital

Hefei, Anhui, 230000, China

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

(1) Pathologically confirmed diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma; (2) Underwent elective (partial) hepatectomy; (3) Age 18-80 years; (4) Basically normal renal function and preoperative Child-Pugh liver function grade A or B; (5) Voluntary participation in the study and signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

(1) Concurrent malignant tumors; (2) Postoperative deterioration or contraindications to oral intake (e.g., dysphagia, intestinal obstruction); (3) Severe malnutrition or other disorders affecting nutritional metabolism; (4) Major intraoperative complications (e.g., massive hemorrhage, bile leakage, intra-abdominal adhesions); (5) Postoperative transfer to the ICU.

Treatment and study plan

Special diet plan and whole protein preparation NUTRICIA for 5 days after liver resection for liver cancer

Dietary Supplement

The intervention group, based on the control group, followed the "Chinese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Part II)"and evidence-based summaries, combined with the "Chinese Expert Consensus on Perioperative Management for Hepatectomy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (2021 Edition)" and oral nutritional supplementation guidelines, Based on the patient's comorbidities, liver characteristics, and gastrointestinal recovery patterns, a specialized 5-day post-hepatectomy diet plan for liver cancer patients has been developed. Postoperatively, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) were administered at 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM between meals, and at 9:00 PM after dinner, using the whole protein preparation NUTRICIA(specification: 320g/can, manufacturer: Milupa GmbH, Germany, production batch: HJ20170172).

Conventional dietary intervention

Other

After returning to the ward after the operation under the traditional dietary guidance model, the patient regained consciousness under anesthesia without nausea, vomiting, etc., and began to try drinking water. If there are no special conditions such as gastrointestinal discomfort, then starting according to the dietary principles, that is, a liquid diet on the first day after the operation, a semi-liquid diet on the second day, and gradually transitioning to a regular diet from the third day after the operation until discharge based on the patient's tolerance. One to two days after the operation, parenteral nutrition mixtures are routinely infused.

Primary outcomes

Prealbumin

Time frame: Six days after the operation
albumin

Time frame: Six days after the operation

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Anhui Provincial Hospital

Other Gov

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Jan 20, 2026
Registry last updated: Jan 20, 2026

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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