Oral Protein Supplementation Following Non-bariatric Surgery

A Randomized Trial of Oral Protein Supplementation Following Non-bariatric Abdominal Surgery

Investigators performed a randomized controlled trial of 62 patients undergoing elective abdominal operations. The treatment group was provided a liquid protein supplement and instructed to take a dose three times daily for the first 20 postoperative days. Investigators followed patients for six months and compared wound healing and changes in weight and laboratory values.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery [cholecystectomy, ventral hernia repair, colectomy, non-bariatric gastric surgery, appendectomy, small bowel resection, lysis of adhesions, liver resection, splenectomy, proctectomy, stoma construction, pancreatic surgery, duodenal surgery, adrenal surgery, renal surgery, or cystectomy]

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age less than 18 years
• Pregnant
• Abdominal surgery within the past 6 months
• Inability to attend follow-up appointments for at least 6 months
• Liver failure (Child-Pugh Class B or C) or kidney failure (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 30).