Nutritional Care as Part of Prehabilitation in Surgical Patients
Nutritional preparation of patients before surgery as part of prehabilitation can significantly affect the quality of recovery and physical condition of patients after surgery. This topic is highlighted, among other sources, by a team of Canadian doctors in their work published in the journal Anesthesiology, an interesting meta-analysis of 15 RCTs, and last but not least, it is covered in a webinar titled 'Surgical Patient and Nutrition'.
Importance of Preoperative Preparation for Patient's Condition
The significance of prehabilitation is evidenced by the findings of a cited Canadian randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared the physical condition of surgical patients 8 weeks post-surgery after they had undergone - or not undergone - preoperative prehabilitation (1). The 4-week prehabilitation included nutritional care, protein supplementation, light aerobic and strength exercises, and relaxation techniques. The group of patients who participated in prehabilitation had significantly better results in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) conducted 8 weeks after surgery compared to the group that only received rehabilitative care post-surgery.
Path to Significantly Reducing Risk of Complications
The team that conducted the meta-analysis of 15 RCTs, involving 3831 patients, focused among other things on the impact of nutritional support on reducing the risk of postoperative complications, mortality rate, and length of hospital stay (2). Compared to the control group, it was shown that adequately set nutritional support significantly reduced the incidence of infectious and non-infectious complications and considerably shortened the duration of hospital stay.
Practically Oriented Webinar: Nutrition in Surgery, Malnutrition, and Sipping
The topic of nutrition in surgical patients is currently addressed by an accredited webinar 'Surgical Patient and Nutrition' (3), available at https://e.nutricia.cz. The webinar, divided into 3 parts, is professionally guaranteed by the head of the interdisciplinary ICU at Havířov Hospital, MUDr. Igor Satinský, Ph.D.
- The first video lecture ('Importance of Nutrition in Surgery') deals with malnutrition as a significant negative factor affecting treatment outcomes in surgical patients.
- The second part of the webinar ('Screening for Malnutrition in Outpatient Settings') explores the possibilities of malnutrition screening, even in a surgical outpatient setting.
- The third part of the webinar ('Sipping Prescription by Surgeon') presents the current conditions for prescribing sipping for patients suffering from malnutrition and provides practical examples.
Nutrition is a crucial topic for surgical patients as it significantly influences preoperative preparation and postoperative rehabilitation. Introducing new sipping prescription possibilities for surgical patients suffering from malnutrition could be reflected in the quality of care and the overall health status of patients.
Opportunity to Earn Points for Lifelong Learning
The webinar, which is under the auspices of the Czech Surgical Society of ČLS JEP and the Czech Society for Clinical Nutrition and Intensive Metabolic Care ČLS JEP, is included in the continuous education program for doctors and is organized according to ČLK Statutory Regulation No. 16.
- After passing the test, a successful participant earns 2 credits in the lifelong learning system.
- Accredited video lectures are accessible until June 25, 2021, at: https://chirurgickypacientavyziva.slideslivehealth.cz
- Without registration and without accreditation, you can watch the webinar here.
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Sources:
1. Gillis C, Li C, Lee L et al. Prehabilitation versus rehabilitation: a randomized control trial in patients undergoing colorectal resection for cancer. Anesthesiology 2014; 121 (5): 937–947, doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000000393.
2. Zhong JX, Kang K, Shu XL. Effect of nutritional support on clinical outcomes in perioperative malnourished patients: a meta-analysis. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2015; 24 (3): 367–378, doi: 10.6133/apjcn.2015.24.3.20.
3. Surgical Patient and Nutrition. Czech Surgical Society ČLS JEP, 2020. Available at: www.chirurgie.cz/chirurgicky-pacient-a-vyziva-webinar
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