J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 111(6): 348-352, 2010

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Feature topic

NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT TO PREVENT INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS AFTER SURGERY

The nutritional condition of patients affects the results of surgical treatment. In patients in poor nutritional condition, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and mortality rate were reported to increase. Perioperative nutritional management is an important factor in preventing the incidence of postoperative infectious complications. The assessment of nutritional status is also important, and the appropriate dietary regimen should be selected based on the results of the assessment. Oral and enteral nutrition are usually selected for perioperative patients. Early enteral nutrition is advantageous in preventing postoperative infection. The effects of immunonutrition and synbiotics in surgical patients have been discussed in many recent reports. The advantages and disadvantages of nutritional therapy must be understood to provide the most appropriate regimen. This paper reviews the contribution of nutritional support to the prevention of complications after surgery.

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