Investigating the link between nutritional status and surgical outcomes in patients with liver or pancreatic cancer: A pilot study

• Main Author: Molla, Haneen N
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Subjects: health sciences, medicine and surgery; health sciences, nutrition
• ISBN: 9780494749456; 0494749458

The rise in the number of liver and pancreatic cancer patients in North America and around the world increases the need to better predict adverse outcomes after surgery. Because this patient population also presents with a higher rate of malnutrition which is known to increase the risks of morbidity and mortality, an effective, and validated, preoperative nutritional assessment method is needed. This pilot study sought to evaluate the feasibility of various nutritional assessments in this patient population and to collect data on nutritional status in order to identify markers with which to develop future nutritional pre-habilitation programs that could positively impact postoperative outcomes. Results proved the feasibility and usefulness of the nutritional assessment in this patient population. However alleviating patient burden is key in facilitating subject recruitment and compliance. Most patients had a stable nutritional, however, the study also identified a subgroup of patients with worsening nutritional status while awaiting surgery; this group might be at an increased risk for postoperative adverse events. Further studies are needed to evaluate the absolute benefit of a preoperative nutritional rehabilitation program.