Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Postoperative Oral Nutritional Supplementation after Major Gastrointestinal Surgery

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Introduction : This study aimed to evaluate of the efficacy of postoperative oral nutrition supplement after major gastrointestinal surgery.
Methods : A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted for 174 subjects who were discharged within 2 weeks after major gastrointestinal surgery. Subjects in study group were prescribed to take 400 ml/day of Encover^® from the day of discharge for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was the weight loss rate at 8 weeks after discharge compared with the pre-operative weight, and the secondary endpoints included the changes in body weight, body mass index, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, hematology/biochemistry tests, and adverse events evaluated at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after discharge.
Results : The weight loss rate at 8 weeks after discharge was not different between two groups. (4.23±5.49% vs. 4.80±4.84%, p=0.4810). The level of lymphocyte count, cholesterol, protein, and albumin were significantly higher in study group after discharge. The incidence of adverse events with a severity score ≥ 3 was not different between two groups. (2.3% vs. 1.2%)
Conclusions : Usefulness of routine oral nutritional support after major gastrointestinal surgery was not proven in terms of weight loss at 8 weeks after discharge. However, it can be beneficial for early recovery of biochemical parameters.