•Situation ● Many surgical patients suffer from malnutrition due to increased metabolic demands and reduced intake, leading to delayed healing, infections, and higher mortality rates. Despite the critical role of nutrition in recovery, there is often a lack of standardized guidelines and practices for nutritional support in surgical settings. This gap results in inconsistent care and suboptimal outcomes for patients.
•Complication ● Surgical patients often face malnutrition due to increased metabolic demands and reduced intake, leading to delayed healing, infections, and higher mortality rates.
•Question ● How can nutritional therapy be optimized to improve outcomes for surgical patients?
•Answer ● The guidelines recommend early nutritional screening and assessment, individualized nutritional plans, and a combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition based on the patient’s condition. Specific protocols include starting enteral nutrition within 24 hours post-surgery, using high-protein and energy-dense formulas, and monitoring for complications like refeeding syndrome. The document also highlights the need for ongoing nutritional support and monitoring to ensure optimal recovery and reduce the risk of postoperative complications.
