How to feed complicated patients after surgery

Purpose of review This clinical review focuses on the nutritional management of surgical patients with a severe postoperative complication. These patients having a succession of aggressions are at high risk of malnutrition. Our aim, following ICU patient studies, was to report the elements that could be applied for these patients. Recent findings Although early enteral nutrition is recommended, recent data focus more on parenteral nutrition. Because these patients probably had a poor nutritional intake for several days, the prescription of parenteral nutrition would appear to be valid in cases of inadequate or impossible enteral nutrition. Lipid emulsion decreasing long-chain triglyceride intake should be used. Moreover, administration of fish oil should be considered. Intravenous glutamine, decreasing new infections and hospital length of stay, should be prescribed only in patients without shock. Several studies and meta-analyses have suggested that a parenteral selenium supplementation in a severe patient can reduce mortality. Summary In severe surgical complicated patients, special care must be taken vis-a-vis nutritional intake. Such patients are likely to have an energy deficit and are at high risk of malnutrition. Nutritional assistance is necessary and should be quickly implemented with the usual recommendations.