Changes in Taste Perception and Preference in the Peri-operative Patient
Changes in Taste Perception and Preference in the Peri-operative Patient
It is well known that patients who have undergone major surgical procedures are vulnerable to the consequences of inadequate calorie or nutritional intake. Clinical studies have demonstrated that early post-operative feeding increases strength and healing of an intestinal anastomosis, reduces surgical site infection and length of hospital stay. The 'Enhanced recovery programme', ERP, includes early post-operative nutrition as one of its key goals, however there is no guidance on the type of food that should be offered to patients in this programme. Anecdotally, many patients and healthcare professionals believe that there are differences in how food tastes to early post-operative patients. If there are changes in taste following surgery this will affect the food choices that patients make in the early post-operative period. No studies have addressed this question to date. In this study we hope to describe this affect and consider the significance of any changes on the background of current hospital food options.
We hypothesise that food preference and tastes and desires are altered in the early post operative period and this affects what patients eat at this critical time.
Nutrition is a vital component of good health and recovery from illness. It is particularly clear that patients with chronic diseases and those who have undergone major surgical procedures are vulnerable to the consequences of inadequate calorie or nutritional intake. Over the last decade, surgical practices have evolved to encourage patients to resume early enteral feeding in order to avoid post-operative under-nutrition. Inadequate nutrition has previously been shown to be associated with prolongation of the acute phase response and increased incidence of septic morbidity. More recently clinical studies have demonstrated that early post-operative feeding increases strength and healing of an intestinal anastomosis. Further to this there is also evidence of benefit to patients by reduction of surgical site infections and other complications. Along with the cost saving of a lower complication rate there are financial benefits from reduced mean length of hospital stay.
Over the last 5 years the importance of non-surgical factors in patient recovery or the development of complications has been highlighted. This has resulted in the development and near universal adoption of the 'Enhanced recovery programme (ERP)'. The ERP is a multidisciplinary initiative aiming to improve the patients' journey by:
At present there are no publications in the literature on how best to support the delivery of nutrition to this important group and there is no literature on food preferences in patients who have recently undergone surgery. To date there has not been any research on the subject of peri-operative taste changes outside of surgical fields that directly affect the sensory system of taste (Ear, nose and throat surgery). Although there have been some descriptive studies on calorie intake in the peri-operative period no studies have been performed to confirm the existence of post-operative taste changes or to describe them.
In order to optimise recovery from surgery and as part of the ERP programme, patients should be provided with food choices that encourage greater intake. It is known that optimising early post-operative nutrition will contribute to early discharge and uncomplicated recovery and have knock on benefits for inpatient costs. In order to provide this it is vital that we consider the issue of presumed dysgeusia and its affect on food choices. In order to begin this process the following study is proposed. It is hoped that the results of this study will allow re-evaluation of hospital menus to optimise post-operative nutrition.
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients who undergo the following laparoscopic procedures
Exclusion Criteria:
The participant may not enter the study if: