Impact of Perioperative Immunonutrition in Colorectal Surgery

Antonio Arroyo

Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology, University General Hospital Elche, Spain

Dr. Antonio Arroyo, Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology, University General Hospital Elche, Spain.

Keywords: Immunonutrition; Colorectal Surgery; Fast-track Surgery

Abstract

The association between malnutrition and digestive pathology due to surgical treatment is well known and causes an increase in postoperative complications.
In recent years, standard nutritional formulas have been modified by the addition of specific components such as arginine, ?-3 fatty acids, and glutamine, among others, in what has been termed immunonutrition. Immunonutrition results in an elevated immune response by modulating the inflammatory response and enhancing protein synthesis after surgery. However, few publications have focused on the use of immunonutrition in patients scheduled to undergo surgery for colorectal cancer.
In the present review, enteral supplements enriched with immunonutrients appeared to decrease the overall rate of infections in patients with colon cancer scheduled to undergo colorectal surgery, reducing the duration of hospital stay.

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