Impact of preoperative nutritional therapy on patient prognosis

This study investigates the impact of preoperative nutritional therapy on the prognosis of patients undergoing surgical procedures. The growing evidence on the relationship between nutritional status prior to surgery and postoperative outcomes highlights the relevance of specific nutritional strategies as an integral part of perioperative care. The literature review covers clinical studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, aiming to understand the benefits of preoperative nutritional therapy. Compiled results reveal positive associations between improved nutritional status prior to surgery and reduced postoperative complications, including infections, length of stay and faster recovery. The analysis highlights the importance of individualized approaches, considering the specific nutritional needs of each patient and the type of surgical procedure. Furthermore, the mechanisms through which nutritional therapy can modulate the immune response, reduce oxidative stress and promote healing are discussed, positively impacting the postoperative course. Although limitations, such as variability in nutritional therapy protocols and definition of outcomes, are recognized, the results suggest that optimizing preoperative nutritional status may represent an effective strategy in improving surgical prognosis.