Influence of Perioperative Protein Supplementation on the Length of Hospital Stay and Complication Rates in Patients Undergoing Elective Abdominal Surgery

Background: Nutritional status plays a crucial role in postoperative recovery, yet perioperative protein intake is often overlooked in routine surgical care. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the influence of perioperative protein supplementation on the length of hospital stay and postoperative complication rates in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. Methods: This observational cohort study was conducted at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, from June 2025 to December 2025. A total of 265 adult patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery were included and categorized into protein supplementation and non-supplementation groups. Patients in the supplementation group received a high-protein oral nutritional formula targeting a total protein intake of approximately 1.2-1.5 g/kg/day, initiated 5-7 days preoperatively, where feasible, and continued for at least five postoperative days or until discharge. Baseline demographic, clinical, and surgical characteristics were generally comparable between groups. Postoperative complications, wound healing status, and length of hospital stay were compared. Results: Patients receiving protein supplementation had a significantly shorter hospital stay compared with those without supplementation (4.8 ± 1.9 vs. 6.2 ± 2.4 days, p = 0.001). Overall postoperative complications were lower in the supplementation group than in the non-supplementation group (18.2% vs. 33.8%, p = 0.004). Infectious complications were also reduced (9.8% vs. 20.3%, p = 0.018), including surgical site infections (5.3% vs. 12.0%, p = 0.047). Optimal wound healing by postoperative day three was more frequent among supplemented patients (84.9% vs. 63.1%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Perioperative protein supplementation was associated with shorter hospital stays, fewer postoperative complications, and improved early wound healing among patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. Further randomized studies are recommended to confirm these findings and establish causality.